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Government’s decision not to extend the food vouchers scheme has led to three local mums forming a Half Term Lunch Pack initiative, which quickly gathered momentum and raised over a thousand pounds within three days to help feed local families.

Amy Pritchard, Leanne Maidment and Laura Herring had prepared 66 lunches by Tuesday in response to local need. Other businesses and clubs in the area have also pledged their support since the decision made national headlines, with B&NES Council holding an emergency meeting to see how it can help local families struggling to feed their children.

Speaking about the Half Term Lunch Pack Initiative Amy Pritchard told The Journal: “We are all mums, and the thought of a child going hungry just makes all of us so sad, and also so angry, that in a country like ours, child poverty is even happening. We could all be in that position one day, and I would like to think that help would be available if I needed it.

“We have had tonnes of help offered and an army of volunteers delivering. The staff at Cottles in Radstock donated 100 part-baked baguettes, and a local businessman, who wishes to remain anonymous, donated £200. We are so overwhelmed by the amazing community we are a part of.

“If you need help, please message Leanne Maidment via Facebook Messenger, with details of what is required (how many children, what age, any allergies or dietary requirements). We are able to supply a packed lunch and hot foods (cooked and to be reheated) over the half-term period, no judgement or questions asked. All details will be kept strictly confidential. We hold Level 2 Food Hygiene certificates, and are DBS checked.

“If any local businesses would like to help sponsor this, we would be most grateful! Please contact Amy Pritchard via Facebook Messenger if you can help.

“We have a gofundme page set up, which has already raised over £1,000!”

Any money donated that is left over at the end of half-term will be given to local foodbanks. Readers can visit: gofundme.com and search half-term lunch club to find the Midsomer Norton page.

Businesses who have stepped forward with their own initiatives include the White Post Inn, Café Bombero, and the SWALLOW Café, who will be offering free lunchboxes for children between 11 am and 2 pm until Friday this week. Please call SWALLOW on: 07565 752350.

Anyone struggling can also visit: helpouthwhen schoolsout.co.uk, or speak to B&NES Welfare Support: [email protected] or: 01225 477 277. The Compassionate Communities Hub also have a helpline: 0300 247 0050.

The Sustainable Food Partnership advises on local Food Clubs and Pantries providing affordable food or emergency food parcels: www.3sg.org.uk/pages/sus tainable-food-partnershipThe motion in the House of Commons to provide holiday food vouchers was defeated by 322 to 261 votes and came following a high profile campaign by footballer, Marcus Rashford, to end child food poverty, which had previously seen the Government make a u-turn on summer holiday school meal vouchers.

Both the local Lib-Dem and Labour parties have been quick to call out the decision which could leave local families without support over the Christmas period. Labour have submitted a motion to the next B&NES Council meeting on 12th November which would commit the Council to providing vouchers of £15 per week for every child on free school meals over the two-week Christmas break.

The Lib-Dems have also reacted angrily. Councillor Kevin Guy, B&NES Cabinet member for Children’s Services said: “I am appalled at the Government’s decision not to extend the free school meal provision for the upcoming holidays.

“Our North East Somerset MP, Jacob Rees-Mogg, has shown a complete lack of sympathy for the most vulnerable people in our towns and villages and it is a total disgrace.

“In B&NES we have more than four thousand children who are eligible to receive free school meals and I am working with colleagues and local charities on how we might be able to provide the funding for these children up to the Easter holidays next year.

“All options will be explored to ensure no child in B&NES goes hungry over the holiday periods.”

In an interview with the BBC on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson defended the decision saying: “We support and indeed fund many of the local Councils and organisations that are helping during this period.

“I totally understand the issue of holiday hunger. It is there and we have to deal with it. The debate is, how do you deal with it? We don’t want to see children going hungry.”