Stratford upon Avon Foodbank, and Stratford Churches Together, announce the provision of a weekly food parcel delivery for struggling families living in Stratford and the surrounding area throughout the school summer holidays. This offer is being made to all families with at least one child of primary school age and is an extension of the MakeLunch project that had provided family meals from the URC Church during school holidays. Unfortunately, current Covid guidelines means hosting a hot meal is impossible so, families are being offered the alternative of a weekly food parcel delivered to their home address instead.
MakeLunch Project leader Ann Jones said, “We are determined that the pandemic would not stop us supporting families that need us, and we are delighted that the Foodbank are able to support us in this initiative.”
Marion Homer, Foodbank Manager said. “With the recent doubt over what provision the government might offer during the summer to those families in receipt of free school meals we have worked with Stratford Churches Together to come up with this project. We are obviously very pleased that there has been a rethink on the extension of the free school meals support ,but believe the addition of this local service, that brings food directly to the family’s home adds another later of support.”
MakeLunch Project Leader Ann Jones continued, “Since lock down we have been working with the Foodbank to deliver food parcels to families who have previously made use of the MakeLunch Club. However, we are aware that the number of families facing similar difficulties may well increase during the summer months and we wanted to continue our support. We urge any family with a child of primary school age who is facing financial hardship, or any agency working with such families, to make contact so we can arrange a weekly food parcel delivery for them. In addition to the usual Foodbank parcel items of tinned and packet food, we will also provide fresh food and an activity for the children. Our intention is to relieve some of the worries facing local families currently. We are pleased, that by working with the Foodbank, we can reach out to families in this way .”
If you are a parent or guardian with primary school aged children and feel you might benefit from this weekly food parcel delivery, or you are working with families in a crisis situation, please contact MakeLunch project leader Ann Jones on 07580 557163 or email her at [email protected] to be added to the delivery list. Deliveries are expected to start from Monday 20th July. For more information please follow the MakeLunch Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SOAMakeLunch/ or see the Q & A below.
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Questions and Answers
- Who is eligible for a MakeLunch Weekly food parcel delivery?
Any family with at least one child of primary school age school - Do you have to be eligible for free school meals to qualify for a food parcel delivery?
No, any family, for whom receiving a weekly food parcel during the summer holidays might provide a welcome support ,are most welcome to make contact. - How do arrange to get a weekly MakeLunch food parcel delivery?
Please contact MakeLunch project Leader Ann Jones to be added to the delivery list. The deliveries will start as of w/c 20/7 but families, and their support workers, are asked to come forward as soon as possible so the volunteers can work through the logistics involved. Please contact Project Leader Ann Jones on 07580 557163 or email her on [email protected]. You can also contact the project through their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SOAMakeLunch/. - I work with families in need can I refer them to this service?
Yes you can. Any organisation working with families facing challenges can refer to this service, there is no fixed criteria other than the appreciation that a weekly food parcel would be of benefit and the family has at least one child of primary school age. (see question 10 below). - When will deliveries start? Deliveries will start w/c 20th July (the first week of the school holidays) and continue until w/c august 24th (The last complete week of the school holidays). However, please make contact as soon as possible so we can start planning.
Contact details:
Phone:07580 557163
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOAMakeLunch/.
- How will the deliveries be made?
The MakeLunch project commit to deliver one food parcel a week to named families. Deliveries will be made discreetly using volunteers own cars. - What will be in the food parcel?
Each food parcel will contain a Foodbank three day emergency food parcel providing nutritionally balanced ‘emergency food ‘ consisting of tins and packet items. In addition, the MakeLunch project will be adding fresh food and extra surprise for the children. - Which areas will MakeLunch deliver to?
MakeLunch will deliver to any address within Stratford and the surrounding area, where residents would normally access Stratford Foodbank as their nearest or most appropriate Foodbank. Areas covered include:
- the town of Stratford
- South to Long Marston, Lower Quinton and Meon Vale, Newbold and Alderminster
- East out to Tiddington and Alveston
- West out Welford, Bidford, Temple Grafton and villages on the Warwickshire/Worcestershire boarder such as Pebworth and Honeybourne,
- North of the town to Snitterfield, Wilmcote, Wooten Wawen, Aston Cantlow, Claverdon, and Henley in Arden
Marion
Marion Homer | Foodbank Manager