Crawley businesses helping to feed hungry children this half term

Figures shared by leader Peter Lamb said 2,511 of the borough’s children were eligible for free school meals – but, given the number of parents who have lost their jobs during the pandemic, he feared the numbers were actually ‘significantly higher’.

Without the help of those who have the correct figures – namely West Sussex County Council and local schools – Mr Lamb said large numbers of families could miss out.

The plan is to raise £60,000 and match-fund it using council money, though the details are still to be worked out.

The government’s decision to reject calls for free school meals to be funded during all holidays until Easter 2021, has prompted a nationwide outcry, with community groups and businesses stepping up to offer what they can.

In Crawley, they included the Master Fryer, on Pound Hill Parade, which is offering free sausage and chips for children throughout half-term from noon-2pm until Friday.

La Rusta, in The Martlets, is offering free packed lunches, containing ham or cheese sandwiches with fresh fruit and a drink, from 11.30am- 2.30pm until Friday.

Mr Lamb praised the community’s efforts as ‘great’ and said anyone who wanted to help could donate to The Easter Team, Crawley Open House and Giving Back Crawley, who run local food banks.

He also called on large businesses who may have had to lay off staff to ‘consider what support they can afford to provide’.

As MPs – including Crawley’s Henry Smith – only voted against extending the voucher scheme in the middle of last week, the council was on a hiding to nothing when it came to setting up something during half-term.

Instead the focus had to be on Christmas.

On top of that, both West Sussex and Crawley councils – along with every other authority in the country – has been fighting a losing battle to cope having lost millions of pounds to the pandemic.

Mr Lamb said: “The reality is that local authority finances have been decimated by Covid-19 and both local councils are having to make big cuts in order to keep running.”

Are there other Crawley businesses helping to feed children this half term? Email the newsdesk.