'I've given away free packed lunches all summer as no child should go hungry'
A woman who became concerned several children in her town could be left without food spent her summer holidays making extra packed lunches for those in need.
Town councillor Lauren Heard spent many of the months making meals for children and their families in the Swansea and Neath area before handing them out for free. Ms Heard, who represents Cefn Saeson ward on Neath Town Council, decided to offer the free lunches after hearing the Welsh Government had stopped free meal provisions for youngsters during the school break.
She took it upon herself to stock up on bread rolls, crisps, yoghurts, fruit, chocolate bars, cartons of fruit and more so she was ready to hand it out to "families who really need it"," WalesOnline reports.
Since advertising her act of kindness on social media, it has been shared nearly 1,000 times with local who have praised her for the "amazing" gesture. She wrote: "Please share - Free packed lunches for school kids. I'm making FREE packed lunches for children in Neath and Swansea over the rest of the summer holidays.
The meals included crisps, fruit, yoghurts and chocolate (Lauren Heard)"This is to help families who really need it so please only use this service if you need it. If you require a lunch for your child please DM [direct message] me to arrange collection/drop off. It will be completely discreet and no questions asked. No child should be left hungry so please share this post."
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In the summer months the councillor has made up more than 50 lunches and has pledged to continue making them for the last weeks of the summer holidays if people need them. She added: "I wanted to offer free packed lunches during the summer holidays as I understood that the Welsh Government had stopped the continuation of free school meals throughout this year's summer holidays.
"Some local councils are continuing to help their communities by providing them with a payment to cover children's meals throughout the holidays, however this is not something that was offered by the councils surrounding my area."
Cllr Heard thinks more schools and council can join in the battle against food poverty and they can do more to help children stop going hungry. She said: "I believe that no child should go hungry [and] it has been heart-breaking to read all the messages I've received from parents who are struggling to feed their children and learn of the stresses and struggles they are facing in ensuring their children are getting fed, when they've previously received support from their school.
"I've made up over 50 lunches. I didn't expect such a big response and it has made me realise how many families and parents are really struggling to feed their children during the summer holidays with the removal of the free school meals payment," Lauren added. "I do my best to accommodate people who have requested a lunch and try to get to them as quickly as possible."
Anyone who needs help in the Lauren's area, can message her on Facebook here. She added: "I recommend that people who need a lunch request one ASAP due to high demand, and as I am doing this by myself, I need the time to organise and prepare the lunches. No questions are asked and all communication remains confidential."
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