These Yorkshire Coast businesses are offering children Free School Meals this week

The campaign would have seen the extension of the Free School Meals scheme to cover school holidays, however, a vote in parliament last week saw the motion defeated by 322 votes to 261.

Scarborough businesses have been quick to react and a number of offers of help have sprung up on Facebook over the last few days.

Richard Askew, of software development company Askew Brook, has spearheaded one of the initiatives. He posted a request on LinkedIn for businesses to get involved and was quickly contacted by Sam Barrington from Care Improvement Associates (CIA), whose wife Emma runs Love Brew cafe on Eastborough.

Mr Askew said: “We don’t want to be political. We are in the midst of a pandemic and a lot of people need help.”

Businesses Anglo-American and Murphy Utiities also stepped in to finance the initiative. And Yay Coffee, Indigo Alley and All Seasons Fruit and Veg are providing food supplies.

Mr Askew said: “Love Brew Cafe will provide a packed lunch style meal with a homemade hot soup (re-heatable) to anyone booking in advance.

“They can collect their meals between 10am and 12pm Monday to Friday. For those with exceptional circumstances we’ll arrange a delivery (Scarborough and surrounding).”

If you would like to request a meal contact https://www.facebook.com/lovebrewcafe or email [email protected] .

Love Brew cafe isn’t the only local company to step in. Offers of help have flooded in on Facebook over the weekend with a number of companies, both small and large, stepping in to help.

Sandwich bar Picnic said: “Half term is coming and if you are a parent/carer/guardian in Scarborough that may be struggling to feed your children over half term without a free school meal we will be providing a FREE Kids Picnic Box.

“Kids Picnic Boxes will be available to collect between 11:30-12:30 Monday to Friday from Picnic, 108 Victoria Road.

“These are available with no questions asked, let’s help some little ones.

“Each Picnic Box will contain: A roll with ham or cheese, a piece of fruit, a fruit juice, a sweet treat and a colouring activity sheet.”

Jenpak Ltd have donated picnic boxes and Hughes Family Bakers have donated the bread rolls. Scarborough residents have also got behind the company and sent donations via Paypal to support their efforts.

Gianni’s restaurant on Victoria Road said: “As many of you are aware this week the government voted against free school meals during this half term.

“We would like to do our bit to help, we will be doing 15 pack-ups ready to collect from 3-4pm Monday-Friday during half term. If you are eligible for free school meals then please drop us a private message via Facebook the day before. All orders will be strictly confidential.

“No child should go hungry.”

The Byways on Station Road, Crossgates, said: “We support Marcus Rashford, and we would like to do our bit to support people from low income families who need that helping hand.

“Many members of our team are parents, support family members or have experienced financial rough patches in the past.

“So this half-term, we will be donating five hot kids meals every day to people who need them, completely free of charge.

“Just send us a message on Facebook and arrange your time to collect, and we will do the rest.

“No strings. No judgement.”

Espresso Yourself, on Falconers Road, said: “ As half term approaches we would like to offer 30 free packed lunches per day between Monday and Friday.

“This is for those who would usually receive free school meals, we would kindly ask that you only use this service if you really need it to ensure that our resources go to those who are in need most in our community.

“All lunches will be available for collection from 10:30am every morning.”

Newlands Park Fisheries on Newlands Park Drive have offered 25 Free School Meals per day Monday to Friday.

They said on Facebook: “Please message this page to arrange a collection time. This will allow us to continue our normal lunchtime service and give you complete privacy when collecting your free kids meal.

“Meals can only be collected if ordered beforehand. This will ensure you are not left disappointed on the day if we have run out and give us the opportunity to select a different availability.

Toni’s Totally Baked on Star Carr Road, Cayton, said: “I’d like to offer help to any families genuinely struggling to feed their kiddies over the coming months. It may not be much but I’ll bake fresh food. If you know of kiddies who need support, message me.”

Cappleman’s Fish and Chips on Raleigh Street said: “After the Government announced no support for free school childrens meals over half term, we decided we’d like to support families in our community that need help.

“During half term, Monday to Friday from 11.30am to 1.30pm, we will be offering free children’s meals in our take away of either sausage and chips, fishcake and chips, kids fish meal where stocks last or chips with gluten free gravy for free.

“This is a genuine – no strings attached offer. No adult purchase is necessary but the child must be present and it’s limited to one meal per child per day.

“We hope this will help during these unprecedented times and we ask you all to safe distance and observe good Covid safe practices if you take up our offer.

The Scarborough Arms on North Terrace initially offered 30 meals a day to those who normally get free school meals to ensure no child goes hungry. A message on their Facebook page read: “We have decided we would like to help and support the families in our community so children do not go hungry this half term. If you would like one please call 01723 362 883.”

A later message read: “Wow, we can’t believe the generosity of everyone. We can now do 35 MEALS PER DAY due to Ellis Hay & a lovely customer who has kindly offered to donate some more money.”

Gallows Close Centre, Endcliff Crescent said: “We will be offering free pack lunches, Hotdogs, Burgers, Soup & Hot Drinks from Tuesday to Friday for children in the Barrowcliff & Northstead area.”

Papas Fish and Chips restaurants said: “We’re supporting Marcus Rashford in his campaign – ensuring no child goes hungry in Scarborough & Whitby.

“No child (or adult) should go hungry! We want to do our best to support our community with as many meals as possible this half term.

“We are proud of our position in the community and feel we must do the right thing and support those in need.

“You will be able to pre-order your Free Meal online by visiting www.papasfishandchips.com. From there you’ll be able to select a restaurant and time slot for your order.

“Our team will endeavour to create as many slots as possible. Your meal will be freshly prepared and served the same way as our other Click and Collect orders, with no judgement and with complete discretion.

“This is entirely self-funded – we kindly ask that you only use this service if you need it, to ensure resources go to supporting the less fortunate within our community.”

Further afield, offers of help have also been flooding in.

Filey Deli, on Belle Vue Street, Filey, said: “We at the deli would like to give something back to our little community. As from next week any families who are genuinely struggling to feed their kids as they are not receiving their school meal can pick up a free lunch pack-up for the little ones.

“We just need a pm of details and it will be ready to pick up the next day. The choices are a pizza or a choice of sandwich..a drink, a biscuit or fruit and a packet of crisps.”

The Met Lounge and Ballroom on Argyle Road, Whitby said: “NO CHILD SHOULD GO HUNGRY

“We at The Met have teamed up with Mallyan Spout to provide Local Children in receipt of free school meals, a lunch and a takeaway pack up tea.

“These are available from today (October 26) until Sunday November 1.

“Please don't let your child go without food, don't be embarrassed to come forward and take advantage of our offer, we are not here to judge, we are here to help, please allow us to help you and your child.

“Message via The Met Facebook message page to book your child’s place.”

Billy Wilson’s in Whitby said: “Here at Wilsons we are backing the NO CHILD SHOULD GO HUNGRY we believe and we want to give a bit back to our local community.

“Available from Jane’s cafe (Sandgate) on Wednesday 28th of October we will be offering a FREE takeaway portion of our new CHIPS between 2 and 4. Come and see us.”

The Buck, Chestnut Avenue, Thornton-le-Dale, said: “With the announcement of no Free School Meals vouchers for FSM receiving children during half term, at a time where previously a full wage was stretched but now on furlough means 2/3 food , 2/3 rent , 2/3 utility bills ... just so you know , if you run out of food , or necessities , or times are just tough , please don’t let your kids go to sleep on an empty stomach . Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to send us a private message

“We will do all we can to help

“What we would like to offer is a free meal of either a lasagne or meat pie on the following dates: Monday October 26, Wednesday October 27, Thursday October 29 and Friday October 30. To be collected at 4pm each day. Please just message us and we will do all we can to help”