The Borough comes together to tackle holiday hunger

Community groups across Blackburn with Darwen are banding together to provide meals to vulnerable children in the school holidays.

Dozens of groups have rushed to offer their help following the campaign led by footballer Marcus Rashford, and his plea for help across the UK as children in need faced a hungry half term with no free school meal provision.

In comes as the Government voted to not continue the free school meals holiday scheme following a similar scheme which ran through the summer holidays.

Marcus Rashford had been leading the campaign, and led groups all over the country to join the fight to end holiday hunger. Hunger and poverty has increased during the pandemic as people’s jobs have been affected meaning there is less money coming in to many families.

Officers at the Council have joined forces with cafes, restaurants, community groups and charities to make sure as many vulnerable children as possible get meals during the time off school.

The Council has some funding for all families accessing Children Centre Services, Family Support (CSC) which is around 500 families. We are looking at any funding we can to help provide meals to families in need.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

People will no doubt have seen the amazing response across social media since Marcus Rashford made his plea about holiday hunger and Blackburn with Darwen has risen to the challenge.

I am thrilled with the response across the board and more people are getting involved all the time and making sure families are signposted to the help. People jump to action when help is needed here and are taking the place of under funding here when they are struggling themselves due to the pandemic.

I hope all families that need it will access the help they need as it is out there for them and their children – we are here for you.”

Blackburn Rovers Community Trust will be supplying 4,000 healthy nutritional meals to approximately 400 individuals of which a minimum will be 200 primary school-aged children who have been identified as being at risk of going hungry due to the lack of access to free school meals during this period.

Community groups and The Secret Santa group are working together to offer free lunches from collection points in the borough. From 12 noon children, who must be accompanied by an adult, can collect a pack from one of the following locations:

Secret Santa, Blackburn town centre

Ivy Street Community Centre

Corkees Shop. 5 Bolton Road, Darwen

Bees and Birds Community Library, bottom of Shorrock lane

Youth Action, Unity House, 49-51 Preston New Road, Blackburn, BB2 6AE. Tel: 01254 695847. Contact: Kim Tattersall

SoyAmazinScentz.289 Blackburn Rd Darwen, BB30AB. Contact Kirsty on 07510900159.

Little Harwood Community Centre

Unit 2 Gym in Mill Hill

People can ring if they have queries or can’t get there: 07976272995, 07828 625005 or 07939 832216.

Places in the borough that are also offering help and free meals are: Blackburn Youth Zone, The Arches Coffee Shop in Feniscowles (call them on 01254 202035 to order food to takeaway), Café Revolution, Old Mill Hill Chippy, Chai Café in Cherry Street, Blackburn, Alfreso Mediterranean Street Food Take Away on Duckworth Street, Darwen, The Golden Cup in Darwen, The Dog Inn at Belthorn and The Butlers Arms in Pleasington. Details can be found on Facebook and more are being added all the time.