VOLUNTEERS and community groups have rallied round to make sure ‘no child goes hungry’ during the half term. 

East Lancashire organisations stepped up to offer free school meals for local children during the break after MPs rejected a repeat of a campaign begun by footballer Marcus Rashford. A vote on the measures was backed by Labour and made its way to Parliament this week, but it was defeated by 322 votes to 261.

The Manchester United and England star said: “Selflessness, kindness, togetherness, this is the England I know”, and shared his support for a number of projects in the UK.

Volunteers from the Shadsworth & Whitebirk Big Local said from Monday they would be offering grab bags of a meal that people can take home to cook for just 50p per person. Families of four and above will be capped at £2.

The bags will contain tinned soup, fresh bread rolls, fresh fruit, crisps and cartons of juice. These will be available from its community shop on Accrington Road next door to Mama’s all week, excluding Thursdays, between noon and 3pm.

The group said: “You can come as many days as you wish.  You will also be able to purchase a £3 dry foods package (includes tins) if you wish and £3 food packages are limited to one per family .

“This is only available to residents of the Shadsworth, Whitebirk and Romney Walk areas and only available over the October half term.”

Shakeel Choudhry and Hands of Hope have joined forces with Secret Santa and Unit 2 Fitness for Women to provide a free lunch for those children who are entitled to free school meals.

Shak said: “The lunch will include a sandwich, juice, crisps and a piece of fruit. These can then be collected from Phil and Karen Secret Santa in Blackburn town centre or the team at Unit 2 Fitness for Women on Albert Street.

“If any businesses would like to come on board to help then please feel free. We are all one family.”

Shak can be contacted on 07976 272995.

The Sectret Santa team  are providing 1500 meals (300 a day) all this week and these are available from 12pm each day from the Ivy Street Community Centre and Corkees Shop, 5 Bolton Road, Darwen.

Fireworks North West, based on Bolton Road, Blackburn, said they would be donating a childs lunchpack for every customer coming through their doors to Secret Santa as part of the campaign.

Bambinos Boutique Daycare are looking at preparing and delivering hot and cold meals for children in need within Clitheroe and the surrounding areas.

They said: “We are trialling this in Clitheroe and then hope to expand to Rawtenstall at Christmas if it’s a success.” 

Bambinos Boutique Daycare can be contacted on 01200 425269.

The Haslingden Food Box said their food box will be out each day, as usual, and anyone can come and take whatever they need for their family.  

The Food Box is based at the end of Ryefield Avenue West, off Helmshore Road, and anyone wishing to donate anything can call 07540 179397.

Blackburn Rovers and Burnley have launched projects to help feed children over the half-term. Find out more here

Volunteers at Junior Gardner’s Football Club in Darwen said almost 150 players will deliver lunches to those that need them.

Team manager Dave Berry said: “We would advise parents to put their pride to one side and reach out if they need help. It will be confidential and will go no further.”

To speak to Junior Gardeners Football Club call 07528 766099.

Kid Curious has launched a #feedthemtohelpthem campaign to encourage local businesses to support children and families in their time of need. You can find more on their Facebook page here.

Meanwhile, several Lancashire projects which are offering food to children were among those backed by Marcus Rashford, who tweeted their projects.

Among them was an announcement that lunches will be on offer at St James the Less Church in Rawtenstall.

A message from Katie Jayne on Facebook read: “Next week from Monday we will be providing packed lunches from the old schoolroom next to St James the Less Church Rawtenstall, (attached to the doctors).”

“We are in this together, please feel free to share, donations welcome, we can deliver too if needed.”

In Colne, Ava Rose Hamilton, a family-owned bridal boutique, posted: “We have all been moved by the announcement that children’s free school meals will be unavailable in the school holidays. 
“We have therefore decided to do a service from next week.

“Packed lunches will be available from next Tuesday in both boutiques in Silsden and Colne,” the post added.

Also see: Businesses join forces to launch 'Holiday Hunger East Lancashire'