As winter approaches and the cost of living crisis rages on, thousands of people are struggling to make ends meet. Energy bills are higher than they've been in decades, and food is a lot more expensive too.
Some weeks ago, Morrisons launched a free hot meal campaign in association with Heinz Beanz. Shoppers who visited any of the supermarket's cafés - and 'asked for Henry' - were given a heart jacket potato with beans and a side salad.
The offer launched on October, 26 and ended on November, 27. The campaign was initially meant to end on November, 6 but the supermarket extended it.
The idea that people may be going without hot food this winter is a heartbreaking thought. So, with this in mind, a Yorkshire Live reporter visited her local Morrison's café to see how the campaign worked in action.
At the time of her visit, Megan Shaw wrote: "I was so nervous and felt embarrassed of what people would think of me, which I'm very aware is not a bad problem to have when the heart-wrenching and humbling reality is that some people don't have a choice. I approached the till to be greeted with a smile from a friendly staff member who asked me what I would like, I said "I have been told I can ask for Henry?"
"The staff member smiled and repeated back to me at a low volume "a Henry? Of course you can", she immediately handed me a table number and told me to take a seat anywhere I liked. I had been so nervous and gone over and over what I was going to say in my head and I needn't have worried.
"She brought over the hot meal in minutes with a smile and said "enjoy", I felt instantly at ease and no different to any other paying customer who was in there. The meal was simple but really nice, healthy and filling. The jacket potato was cooked to perfection and was filled with an ample amount of beans and served with a tasty side salad. I left feeling full, warm and with my dignity intact."
Megan says the staff were approachable and made her feel at ease thanks to their friendliness and discretion. While she was in the café she noticed an elderly man go up the till and also ask for Henry. He too was given a hot meal, and shown the same level of kindness and customer service.
Staff members said that the scheme went well, and was popular. A sad and harsh reminder that initiatives like this are important and can be a lifeline to thousands of people suffering in silence.
Megan says: "I was really pleased to see that the scheme is able to help those in need, it was good to see it in action and while sadly, the help from this collaboration is a drop in the ocean in fixing the wider problem, I will certainly sleep better tonight knowing that man has a warm meal in his belly and thanks to Morrison's, many others do too.
"Overall, I was really impressed with the service I received from staff, the quality of meal and the general experience and I would urge anyone who needs it to please do so without hesitation.
"For transparency, as I didn't need this meal and wouldn't want to take it from somebody who does, I offered to pay for it afterwards explaining that I was conducting a social experiment for an article. I was told by the very friendly staff that they didn't have an option to process payment for the meal on the till and that it would not be necessary. Therefore, I donated the cost of the meal, which would have cost me £4.48, in the charity box instead."
