Liverpool cafes and businesses race to the rescue with free kids meals over half-term

Kind-hearted cafes, restaurants and other businesses in Liverpool City Region are racing to the rescue of families struggling to feed their children during the half-term holidays.

The Watering Can in Greenbank Park, Fika restaurant in Wavertree and The Daily Grind in St Helens are among those generously offering support with free meals and lunches from Monday to Friday next week while the kids are off school.

On its Instagram account, Brew Coffee and Kitchen in Crosby posted: “No child should go hungry.

“We are saddened to think that there are children in our community that will be hungry over the half term because the government don’t think children need support at this time.

“Please do not be embarrassed to ask for help, we are all struggling this year.”

So if anyone is finding it hard to feed their families, take heart – there’s help out there…

The Watering Can

Phil and Keith at the Greenbank Park Café are offering free takeaway packed lunches for children who have access to free meals at school from Monday to Friday.

They said on Instagram: “We are deeply saddened by the recent announcements regarding the removal of free school meals, the Tories’ general disregard for the North and their rhetoric of the poor are poor because they don’t work hard enough.”

To arrange a lunch, just call the restaurant on 0151 319 2366.

Brew Coffee & Kitchen

The Crosby cafe offered sandwiches, fruit and a drink for any child in need this half term after declaring on Instagram: “No child should go hungry.”

And it has been so overwhelmed with offers of help it’s set up a JustGiving page to reach more children than ever.

It says: “Since our post we have been inundated with offers of kindness and support. You are all BOSS!! When we posted we thought we may be able to help a few children in our community, but we now feel this could be something bigger!

“There are so many businesses and people in Liverpool who want to help. So let’s show the Tories how people should behave and raise some funds to feed our kids.”

To donate go to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Scousekids

To receive: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGqGs1RnvDW/

Liverpool Trampoline Gymnastics Academy

The Academy is setting up two free sessions during the half-term holidays when youngsters can have a go on the trampolines and get a hot meal.

They’ll be held at the Speke centre on Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 7.30pm and 9pm.

Covid means limited numbers will be allowed in at any one time, and time spent there could be restricted, but they promise everyone will ‘get to bounce’ and get their tea.

They’ve asked people to call, DM, or email to book or, if you need to, just turn up on the night.

The LTGA is located at Unit 14 Viscount Centre, Gaskill Road, Speke, L24 9GS. You can call them on 0151-486-3331, DM @LiverpoolTGA on Twitter or email admin@liverpooltrampoline.co.uk

Laura’s Little Bakery

Laura Worthington shared her own personal story of her childhood on social media, this promoted her to take action and do something herself using her business, Laura’s Little Bakery.

Laura will be donating a birthday cake every single week to a family who can’t afford one for their birthday boy or girl.

You can support Laura’s Little Bakery via the website here.

Pip’s Sandwich and Sweet Shop

Pip’s in Woolton Road, Wavertree, has got lots of little brown carrier bags waiting to be filled throughout half-term next week.

It will provide a little lunch of a sandwich/roll (with either egg, cheese or ham) or a pasta pot, a packet of Wotsits or Quavers, a piece of fruit and a bottle of water to any parents or carers of children who usually get free school meals.

And, it will be available every day next week: “I know times are hard for everyone but every little helps. If you know someone who would benefit, please let me know. Thank you.”

Facebook @camurphy8724

Fika

The Wavertree coffee shop is offering a free breakfast to children from Monday to Friday during half-term.

It’s available to all school children under the age of 16, between 8am-10.30am.

They said: “No child should go without food whilst the schools are closed.”

Call 0151 345 6950 or message them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fikaliverpool/

Aubergine

The West Kirby café is offering a free takeaway sandwich from Monday, October 26, to Friday, October 30, for any child who normally gets free school meals.

It says: “We don’t know what the demand will be for this offer, so we’ve set up a page for people to register their interest.

“We promise to keep all information confidential, no questions will be asked, and we ask of nothing in return: there’s no charge, it’s totally free and you don’t previously have to have been a customer of Aubergine.”

Anyone wants to take up the offer needs to fill in a form at https://www.aubergine.cafe/kids

The Daily Grind

Hot Soup or a sandwich is on offer from the Corporation Street coffee shop in St Helens.

They are happy for anyone on low income, whose child usually has a free school dinner, to go into the shop for either a free soup or a cheese, tuna or ham sandwich, with a bottle of water all next week.

Those wanting to take up their kind offer are asked to ‘feel free to call in between 11.30am – 12.30pm’.

The Sandon Complex, Anfield

The Sandon Complex – which shut its doors last week due to Liverpool’s Tier 3 restrictions – will reopen throughout half-term to launch its own breakfast club.

The Oakfield Road venue will open between 9am-11am, from Monday, October 26 – Friday, October 30, so school children and the elderly can enjoy a breakfast and hot drinks.

Owner Kate Stewart said she felt compelled to ‘help in any way she could’ after MPs voted against supplying free school meals for children who needed them, and added: “I closed The Sandon because the Tier 3 restrictions make it almost impossible for me to trade in relation to alcohol being served with substantial food. But I can reopen to help the local community and I want to welcome school children and the elderly in the local area for breakfast every day next week.

“I can’t sit here and do nothing when I know so many people are struggling. Please don’t feel embarrassed or too proud to come – if you need something to eat, The Sandon will help you.”

Parents of school children will also be given hot drinks.