Free meals for children are on offer three days a week in Penrith to tackle the pressures faced by many families during the school holidays.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12.15pm and Fridays from 11.30am, The Salvation Army on Hunters Lane will offer a free meal for school aged children under 16 with any paying adult’s meal.
Meal options include a set two-course meal and a drink, for £5 for adults, on a Tuesday and a Wednesday and a light meal option on a Friday, £3.50 for adults, which includes soup or a sandwich with dessert and a drink.
The church leader of The Salvation Army in Penrith, Major Carole Donaldson, said: “We wanted to offer extra support to families during the school holidays as many face tough financial choices once the extra help that they rely on from schools ends and the holidays begin and with the cost of living continuing to rise, we fear there will be more struggling this year than ever before.
“The help we get from local organisations and also the local community trough donations of food, money and even craft supplies from The Works allows us to provide much needed extra support to those that need it and we can’t thank everyone enough.”
Advanced booking is required for both the adult and free children’s meals in order to allow The Salvation Army in Penrith to plan their catering and bookings can be made by calling the church on 01768 866732.
Before and after the lunch, there will be a toddler and children’s activity area which will include a range of arts and crafts supplies, books and activity packs donated by staff and customers of The Works located in the town.
The free children’s meal and adult meals will not take place the week of August 15.
The Salvation Army in Penrith will also be offering a Family Fun Day on Monday, August 8, where families can join together to play, relax and meet other families to enjoy in crafts and drinks and all are encouraged to bring their own packed lunch.
The Penrith Corps (church) has a Just Giving page available for those wishing to support and donate to the church and charity specifically for its work locally which can be found at www.justgiving.com/penrith-salvation-army
