Children of parents who are struggling financially are to be offered free hot meals throughout the school summer holidays by a restaurant which wants to do its bit to support the community. The Bloom Inn, based in New Road in Skewen, has recognised the "financial stress" on those who rely on school meals, and for the next six weeks will be providing a hot meal to take away or eat in, no questions asked.
The kind gesture comes as the cost of living crisis continues to hit those in need the hardest. We recently reported how millions are drastically cutting back on their shopping or are having to turn to charities or food banks. But at the same time, fewer people are in a financial position to be able to donate to foodbanks or, if they can donate, have had to cut back on the amount they can donate each week or month. It has led food banks across south Wales to issue an urgent appealing for the public to donate food and toiletries. You can read more about that by clicking here.
Owner of The Bloom Inn, Adam Hockin said, as a father himself, he wanted to do his bit to help those who were in need, and explained the simple and discreet process where people could come in and claim a meal. Get stories like this straight to your inbox with our newsletters.
The 29-year-old said: "I have children myself and I've never been in the situation of having to look for food for my children. Obviously I know a lot of families do rely on the free school meals. Without school for six weeks and the current climate, I know it is going to be very hard for them to find the next meal for their child. It is for anyone of school age - or anyone really if they are genuinely struggling, although we hope to see people do not take the mick out of the scheme.
"The feedback has been outstanding. I knew we'd have a good reaction but I didn't think it would be the way it has been, it's been just amazing. We run a lunch menu so they'll be able to have meals ranging from a chicken melt, a chicken curry, vegetarian and pasta dishes, we cover all bases and look after everyone's needs.
"It has been running for about a week. We haven't had anyone come in to ask for a free meal yet. I think it is more a case of them building up the courage to come in. Nobody wants to admit they are in that situation. There is a stigma around it. My message would be literally, just come on in. Anybody is welcome. They can literally grab a post-it note when they come in and we'll see the post-it note in their hand, and it'll all be covered."
The community of Skewen has really embraced the idea, and many offered donations to the restaurant to help cover the cost of a meal, resulting in the launch of an accompanying 'pay it forward' scheme.
Mr Hockin added: "The pay it forward idea came from customers asking if they could help a parent who was struggling. People can come and pay for a meal and then that'll give back to the local community and surrounding areas. The support has been fantastic. We've got the local area co-ordinators on board who are close knit within the community and hopefully they can spread the word.
"The more customers we serve in house the more children we can feed. It is coming out of my pocket, so the more customers we serve the more children we can feed, and hopefully never have to say that we can't do it anymore. For the NHS we did 50% in January and February, but in the end we continued it at 25% throughout the year, such was the response. It's trying to give back to the people who deserve and need it."
The Bloom Inn can be found at 216 New Road in Skewen and you can visit its Facebook page by clicking here.
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