Fair Frome, which helps individuals and families in Frome who are struggling to make ends meet and which already runs the food bank, furniture bank, community lunches and other practical schemes, has just announced their additional plans for the summer holidays to tackle “Holiday Hunger”.
Bob Ashford Chair of Trustees for Fair Frome said, “For most of the summer, holidays are just that. A time to enjoy ourselves, take a break and relax. For many families on a low income though the holidays present new challenges. Those children entitled to free school meals don’t receive them and children out of school need stimulation and activities to help them grow and develop.”
In a partnership with Purple Elephant, who will be running a series of summer activities for children up to 12 (for more details see Frome Children’s Festival on Facebook or go to www.fromeactive.org.uk) Fair Frome will provide a free hot nutritious meal to those children and families in receipt of Free School Meals who attend. Sponsorship for the meals has very kindly been given by Bistro Lotte who have handed over a cheque for £6,000 to support Fair Frome.
“In making the donation Lotty said. ‘Bistro Lotte are glad to be able to support Fair Frome and the important work that they do within our community and are pleased to be able to partner with them in this new scheme which will offer real benefits to struggling families over the summer. As a company, we are committed to supporting our local community.’
“ In addition to this project, Fair Frome is also providing packs of food via School Family Support Workers to families who they have identified that may find it difficult to feed their children in the school holidays. So far over 30 referrals have been received and 100 bags of donated groceries have been put together which will be delivered to local schools in the build up to the holidays.”
Rupert Kaye, Headteacher of Christ Church C of E First School and Nursery, said: “I am concerned that a number of children in Frome who benefit from free school meals during term time will experience ‘holiday hunger’ over the long summer break.
“Research suggests that a lack of proper nutrition damages children’s physical and mental health and, of course, it can limit their cognitive development and learning. It is a sad state of affairs when any child in the UK in the twenty-first century should go to bed hungry or have their life chances stunted by a lack of food. As a Headteacher, I wholeheartedly support the work that Fair Frome is doing to provide children with a nutritious, balanced diet during the summer holidays.”
For more information please contact Wendy Miller Williams, Fair Frome Co-ordinator on 01373 488578.
Above, l-r: Wendy Miller-Williams, co-ordinator Fair Frome; Bob Ashford, chair Fair Frome; sous chef Voy: Lotty Evans of Bistro Lotte and Jane Maryon on behalf of John Whelan.
