COMMUNITIES in South East Cornwall have rallied to make sure that children don’t go without a meal this half-term holiday.

Charities, businesses, churches, sports clubs, supermarkets, and individual residents have all pitched in to offer packed lunches or hot meals this week for youngsters who would normally receive a free school meal during term-time.

Among the many people contributing to the community effort are Emma Packham and her daughters Baileigh-Rae and Harley, who have been up early in the mornings making sandwiches for packed lunches that have been distributed by Emma and from Community Treasure Chest in Liskeard.

Emma says that after an initial 26 lunches went out on Monday, they’ve made up 55 on Tuesday, 54 on Wednesday and 68 today (Thursday).

CTC and Emma will be offering the meals beyond the half term until next Wednesday, as some pupils will be at home for teacher training days into next week.

“People genuinely need help. There are a lot more people struggling now because of the coronavirus,” said Emma.

As local organisations and people step in to help out, the Government has faced huge levels of criticism for not continuing to back footballer Marcus Rashford’s campaign to extend the holiday meal provision. For more on this story – including South East Cornwall MP Sheryll Murray’s response as to why she voted against a motion to extend the meal vouchers, see this week’s story in the Cornish Times.

Places providing free meals or packed lunches to children and families in need in South East Cornwall this week include: Community Treasure Chest Liskeard, Dobwalls Memorial Hall, The Highwayman Dobwalls, St Cleer Church, Real Junk Food Project, Cafe Abundance, Morrisons supermarket, the Halfway House pub, Two Waters Foot, Millbrook Football Club, Kingsand Village Store, The Finnygook Inn Torpoint, The Portbyhan Hotel, Looe, Downderry Church.