Harborough foodbank's angry message for local MP who voted against extending free meals for schoolchildren

A Market Harborough foodbank chief has told local MP Neil O’Brien – you should have voted to support free meals for hungry schoolkids during the half-term break.

Liz Mills, the chair of the town’s increasingly-vital Jubilee Foodbank, said the Government had to help feed children in hard-up families struggling to put food on the table.

She hit out as big-hearted businesses in the Market Harborough area stepped up to offer free meals for youngsters inspired by Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford.

“There’s no doubt that Neil O’Brien should have voted in the House of Commons to give children free school meals across the half-term holiday.

“If I was speaking to him I would tell him that you never know what it’s like to go without food, to go hungry, unless you have walked in these people’s shoes and lived their lives,” Liz told the Harborough Mail.

“Giving children free school meals is a short-term sticking plaster – but we have to do it.

“Not having the money to be able to put food on the table clearly highlights a much bigger, deep-rooted problem that we have to tackle head on.

“Too many people are not being paid a living wage and too many are having to wait too long to be paid their benefits.

“Desperate parents are sometimes going without food to keep their children fed.

“We are not talking about just families, either, who are trapped in this intense poverty cycle.

“Single people are also struggling after being made redundant.

“The devastating Covid-19 pandemic has simply compounded this growing crisis.”

Liz said totally new “support systems” have to be put in place to tackle the fast-growing food poverty threat.

“We hand out about five food parcels on an average day.

“About 300 households in Market Harborough and the surrounding area rely on us for support,” she said.

“Demand has certainly gone up during the coronavirus outbreak throughout the year.

“The Government should be helping out struggling families at a time like this and well into the future.

“People shouldn’t have to rely on charities like ours and the goodwill of society to feed them.”

Liz thanked everyone who has donated Harvest Festival food to the organisation.

If you would like to help Liz and her volunteer team you can check out the Jubilee Foodbank on their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/jubileefoodbankmh/Harborough MP Neil O’Brien, one of over 300 MPs to vote against extending free meals to children over the half-term and Christmas holidays, told the Mail: “Everyone wants to help poorer families with children.

“At the start of the virus epidemic the Government increased benefits by an extra £20 a week or £1,000 a year across the board.

“That will go to all those families who are eligible for free school meals every week, whether we are in term time or outside it.

“The Government has also given additional funding on top of that to local councils to support those families in the most hardship."

The Conservative MP added: “But I recognise that for some families even more is needed and a more permanent solution for the families with deeper problems who struggle outside term time.

“I'm glad to see the Government are now working that up in time for the Christmas holidays.

“There is also a question about families who don't get free school meals but are struggling at the moment and how we can help them too.

“The Government here is spending far more than the governments in Germany or France or America helping to protect families' incomes and jobs through this crisis.

“The furlough and income support schemes have helped 18,300 people in the Harborough constituency alone, while £50 million of loans and £20 million of grants have been given to local businesses to save jobs here.

“The Government is also spending £2 billion on the Kickstarter scheme to create job opportunities for young people which will help people here.

“Nobody disagrees with helping families with children.

“The question is what the best way of doing it is - I am glad to see the Government is working on this urgently."

Meanwhile, John Ross & Son butchers, based in the food hall at the Indoor Market in Market Harborough, said they are “delighted to sponsor free meals for any child at The Market Café”.

Any child will receive a free meal from the children's menu between 9am and 2pm when accompanied by an adult from Tuesday October 27 to Saturday October 31.

“We know things are hard at present.

“So many people are on reduced hours, may have lost an income or are just struggling.

“Please pop along to the cafe and let us give you a helping hand,” said the butcher’s.

“There are no conditions.

“There doesn't need to be any additional adult spend, just come along, and we can offer a meal for your youngsters.

“You can live just across the border in Northamptonshire, perhaps you are in Rugby, maybe you're Harborough-based and have kids in part-time nursery, or your kids are off school on Saturday October 31 - it doesn't matter.

“You are all welcome.”

You can find John Ross & Son butchers here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Butcher-Shop/John-Ross-Son-Butchers-1442709729303815/The Ritz hospitality complex in Desborough is also offering kids free meals.

“For those families of low income who normally receive free school dinners will be able to join us at the Ritz for a free dinner during the week.

“All accompanied with a free glass of squash!

“No catches - just free hot meals for kids!”

You will be able to claim your free meal from Tuesday October 27 until this Saturday October 31.

You can discover more here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/theritzcomplexdesborough/posts/