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Original poster

so many places round where i live are offering free school lunches next week

39 replies

JamminDoughnuts · 25/10/2020 19:02

i dont think there are many takers, i dont think there are that many that are entitled to free school dinners.
but it is Such a Great offer

hopefully this is nationwide

OP posts:
Blueemeraldagain · 25/10/2020 19:06

helpoutwhenschoolsout.co.uk/ This is a great website where you can search for places offering free lunches in your area.

knickybricks · 25/10/2020 19:06

And if there are so few entitled why is it such a big deal for the Gov to feed them? A few places and some individuals have offered on our local facebook group. KIDS SHOULD NOT GO HUNGRY because their parents struggle to feed them.

Original poster
JamminDoughnuts · 25/10/2020 19:08

i could be wrong about how many are entitled, how would I now, but it is generally not a deprived area.

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Original poster
JamminDoughnuts · 25/10/2020 19:11

that link is good but it is not showing my local ones that have said that is what they are doing on facebook.

OP posts:
Nibor1991 · 25/10/2020 19:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MunchBunchYoghurt · 25/10/2020 19:22

It wasn’t u til I became a school governor that I had my eyes opened to exactly how many children are on free school meals and other entitlements
AND
how many children are from families who really do struggle badly.

I think what makes the MP voting fiasco worse is that they all get free meals and a large allowance at that. It’s so wrong.

lanbro · 25/10/2020 19:22

In my local primary 62% are on FSM. I've offered pack lunches thru my coffee shop but was worried the people who really need it wouldn't come in and ask. Instead, I got my local councillor involved and people are emailing him confidentially. He delivered 15 packages out today, more due to go tomorrow and another business has donated 100 hampers that the head will deliver to those he knows are vulnerable, FSM or not. And we've raised over £500 since Friday morning as a community to fund it all, I've been quite overwhelmed by how involved everyone has got!

Original poster
JamminDoughnuts · 25/10/2020 19:23

i had no idea that all is it key stage 1? had free school meals?
it has obviously changed.
it used to be means tested.

OP posts:
zaphodbeeble · 25/10/2020 19:23

Have you not been following Marcus Rashford’s campaign op ?

Original poster
JamminDoughnuts · 25/10/2020 19:24

i dont have school age dc
and i know about marcus rashford

OP posts:
Muddybuddy · 25/10/2020 19:25

Yes it is key stage 1 but that’s not relevant here. The free school meals which were given out over lockdown weren’t for all of key stage 1, they were just for those assessed as needing them. The vote in parliament wasn’t whether to give all key stage kids free meals

Original poster
JamminDoughnuts · 25/10/2020 19:25

@lanbro
the support is overwhelming isnt it.

OP posts:
Original poster
JamminDoughnuts · 25/10/2020 19:26

thanks @Muddybuddy

OP posts:
slipperywhensparticus · 25/10/2020 19:27

There is universal free school meals and there is the actual free school meals which is means tested

RunBackwards · 25/10/2020 19:27

Yes, there have been loads of lovely offers. It will be interesting to see how many are taken up.

I'm sure the gesture comes from the right place but I'm expecting news of the "wrong" people taking them, groups of young people trying to claim when the suspicion is they're not in need, complaints and poor manners etc, so the worthy people can publicise their good deeds again at the same time as asserting their superiority, but I know, I'm a terrible cynic.

I do think there are children who will be hungry this week, I don't think their parents will be taking them to collect free meals in cafes. Sad

Jamhandprints · 25/10/2020 19:29

Lots of businesses offering here too and like you, I wondered if theyll get many takers. I know there are lots on free school meals but most of them manage to feed their kids in the holidays so it would only be those who really, really cant that would be brave enough to ask for it.

ineedaholidaynow · 25/10/2020 19:31

Our local schools have provided FSM vouchers for half term

Serena1977 · 25/10/2020 19:31

I fear those that need it will be too embarrassed to come forward and those that don't need it will take advantage.

knickybricks · 25/10/2020 19:41

I know my 17 year old has ferocious appetite - I'd hate to be trying to feed him on a budget - he eats almost 4 times the amount the rest of us eat and he's sits between underweight and normal.

Original poster
JamminDoughnuts · 25/10/2020 20:30

quite a lot of the places are saying, email us, message us, we are happy to be discreet, so the issue is recognised.

OP posts:
knickybricks · 26/10/2020 20:15

The issue is recognised - Tory council representative posted details of where people could go to get free lunches - this is an utter disgrace that the Government are relying on charity to feed hungry kids - there must be huge gaps around the country where the lack of co-ordination means kids will not be able to access charity and they will go hungry - obese or not!

Justajot · 26/10/2020 20:24

Nationally 15% of children were registered for fsm in 2019. This will have gone up as a result of covid. It's lovely that people are offering to support those children in their area. However those children will not be evenly distributed and I suspect that more businesses and local charities will be able to offer something in areas with least need. There must be areas with 60% fsm. If only there was a system for collecting resources from areas with most resources and delivering to those that need support the most Confused.

goisey · 26/10/2020 20:38

@Justajot

Nationally 15% of children were registered for fsm in 2019. This will have gone up as a result of covid. It's lovely that people are offering to support those children in their area. However those children will not be evenly distributed and I suspect that more businesses and local charities will be able to offer something in areas with least need. There must be areas with 60% fsm. If only there was a system for collecting resources from areas with most resources and delivering to those that need support the most Confused.
There is supposed to be a system...government and taxes.
Justajot · 26/10/2020 22:30

@goisey - yes, that was what I was implying.

Honeyroar · 26/10/2020 22:35

Lots are doing it round here. It’s a posh area. A lot of them are expensive pub-restaurants that are offering free child meals with every adult meal. No poor family is going to be taking children there! But people on their Facebook pages are patting them on the back. It seems a bit of a farce to me.