POOR families worried about being able to provide meals for their children will be able to access free lunches this half term in Winchester.
Winchester City Council is launching the Little Lunch Club in collaboration with Projects Café in Middle Brook Street.
Children across the district who receive free school meals will be eligible to receive free lunches from the cafe throughout the half term, from Monday October 23.
The project follows the success of the council’s Summer Munchies programme, which provided more than 200 meals to children during the summer holidays.
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To access the new scheme, families should visit Projects Café and ask staff for the Little Lunch Club menu, from Monday, October 23 to Friday, October 27. No booking is required and children can stay and get involved in kids craft activities at the café.
Families across the district, who are unable to make it to Projects Café, can collect a food parcel from their school instead from Wednesday, October 18.
Schools participating in the collection service include Sun Hill Junior School in Alresford, Kings Worthy Primary School, Weeke Primary School, Stanmore Primary School, Winnall Primary School and Bishop's Waltham Junior School.
The council has also joined Active Me 360 and Cyclife Aquila Nuclear to offer affordable football and 3SIXTY Dance Academy sessions for just £2 per session.
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The sessions, from October 23-27, offer a low-cost way of keeping children active and entertained in a positive and inclusive environment and is available to families across the district.
Cllr Kathleen Becker, cabinet member for community and engagement, said: “Holidays are often a worrying time for families on low incomes, and we know the rise in the cost of living is affecting many more people too.
“No family wants their child to go without - and so I am very proud that we can offer free meals for children, as well as fun, low-cost physical activity that is so important to children’s health and wellbeing.”
More information about the Little Lunch Club can be found on the council’s website winchester.gov.uk/cost-of-living/food
Booking and further details about the football sessions and dance academy can be found on ActiveMe 360’s website activeme360.com.
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