A Blackburn independent school has helped provide 250 meals for charity in partnership with catering company for their ‘Feeding Communities’ initiative.

Over 50 students from Westholme School and catering partner Thomas Franks volunteered to package up 250 portions of plant-based chilli con carne with rice.

The packages were donated to Nightsafe, a charity that supports young homeless people. 

Feeding Communities provides essential food provisions and fresh healthy meals to support food banks or families struggling from food poverty or food insecurity.

Westholme School and catering partner Thomas Franks hosted an assembly where they spoke to Prep and Senior students about the initiative.

Raj Singh, Director of Charity for the Thomas Franks Foundation, spoke about how food poverty was a growing concern in the UK brought on by many factors including the cost-of-living crisis, changes in housing, and losing a job, and how so many people are now relying on food banks. 

Raj said: “Westholme School is always active in supporting the local community and promoting citizenship with their students.

"This project will provide practical support to some of the most vulnerable in the area.”

He explained that the issue with food parcels from the food banks is the lack of fruit, vegetables and protein to keep the most vulnerable members of society healthy and nourished. 

Commercial Director, Vivienne Davenport at Westholme said: “We are proud to support the Feeding Communities initiative and of our students for showing such passion for the project.

"They enjoyed learning new skills, making up the meals and were pleased to know that their hard work would be worthwhile for other young people in the local area.”