Free school meals: How the community is feeding children — and changing attitudes on poverty
Food poverty is a serious problem in the UK, with 1.4 million children relying on free school meals — and the pandemic hasn’t made it any easier.
Marcus Rashford MBE, football player for Manchester United, has fronted a free school meals campaign, inviting the Government to extend free school meals into the half term. But his plea was rejected in the House of Commons with a no vote of 322 to 261 — a majority of 61.
Controversy has subsequently spread on social networking sites with arguments for and against the campaign, including threats and name calling directed at Members of Parliament.
There have been controversial comments from MPs and other influential figures on Twitter. One heated debate came after MP Ben Bradley linked those in need of meal vouchers as coming from families linked to “crack dens” and “brothels”.
Concerns have now arisen about how these discussions will make children and recipient families feel about being entitled to receive help.
Birmingham teacher Ayesha Hussain says the debate may make youngsters feel embarrassed about taking what they desperately need. “In schools it’s done discreetly, the kids use their ID cards to pay,” she said.
Looking back on her experiences she added: “My school was situated in a deprived area, it was the norm for the majority to be entitled to free school meals. The kids were not embarrassed in the slightest.”
Following Rashford’s plea, local restaurants, cafés, and pubs all over the country have been providing free meals to their communities from their own pockets.
Many organisations in Portsmouth are working together to provide free meals to the local community. Among the organisations are the Duke of Buckingham Pub, Baked by Beth, Paanchi, and The Lord John Russell pub.
Lily and Lime are a social enterprise based in Portsmouth who already give back to the community by supporting and employing individuals with learning disabilities. They have been providing food and drink over half term in their café.
Chris Hillman, training manager, described the experience as humbling. He said: “We have seen so many incredible things, we have seen families who don’t need help invite a family who did need help for coffee and pay for their coffee.”
Hillman wants to make the café a comfortable environment for families who are embarrassed to take help: “We want it to be a safe haven.”
Marcus Rashford took to Twitter to express his gratitude to the companies offering free food and drink. He commented: “I don’t even know what to say. Just look at what we can do when we come together, THIS is England in 2020.” Fans and other members of the online community shared their support.
One obstacle many organisations have had to face is providing this service without causing the recipients any guilt. Hillman believes it is a quintessentially British thing to feel shy to take from others. He said: “We don’t call [the service] free, it is a half term special,”
Sara Anwar, 46, a charity worker from Reading, looked back on her days at school and how attitudes have changed towards free meals since. She said: “When I was young there were two separate queues at lunch, one for those who could afford their food and one for those who were on free meals.”
She believes things are changing for the better in the UK and encourages people to have sympathy for those in need in this country. “We have now reached a point where people understand not everybody is born into the same environments and children all deserve to eat no matter what their family situation is.”
Efforts haven’t been just from businesses and large restaurants though. People’s homes have become places of charity, with parents offering help to friends from the school playground and some even doing discreet door to door deliveries.
Small home businesses have provided support where they can. Home baker Beth from Portsmouth has been offering her services to those in need in the local area.
The community efforts have eased the worries that teacher Hussain had for her students. “Some kids don’t even have breakfast due to personal home life issues — this way it can be ensured they at the very least get some food during the day.”
Children are now returning to schools, which will remain open during the second national lockdown. Many pupils will go back to receiving free school meals but may be in need of further community support should Government call for schools and colleges to close.
The campaign is still gaining momentum with the Manchester United star Marcus Rashford’s online petition surpassing a million signatures.
A full list of the organisations participating in free meals for children be found here.
