Knaresborough Lions and restaurant offer free half-term meals to kids

Knaresborough organisations have joined forces to help vulnerable families and children locally this half-term.

Knaresborough Lions and the restaurant Zolsha have teamed up with young people’s organisation Inspire Youth to provide food for children involved in one of Inspire Youth’s workshops on June 1.

Each child will receive a free curry before the outdoor activities begin.

This workshop is being used as a trial event in the hope of getting more businesses and groups involved in helping the local community.

Zolsha reached out to Knaresborough Lions in the first lockdown wanting to do its bit to help those struggling.

Jav Mian, owner of Zolsha, said:

“As Muslims, we have an obligation to support our community. We have raised money and also sent clothing to Bangladesh, but this is the first time we have been able to help in Knaresborough.

“It feels more real when you meet the people you are helping. A few have been very emotional when collecting their food. We are very happy to be able to help.”

The operation has since grown to include Knaresborough Connectors, Resurrected Bites and King James’s School.

Kevin Lloyd, from Knaresborough Lions, and Mr Mian work with the other organisations to offer five families a week a free dinner.

Mr Lloyd said the families had been given the vouchers by Resurrected Bites, which distributes food going to landfill, and the school after being identified as needing extra support.

He added not everyone was struggling financially; some families may have experienced a sudden loss and needed a boost.

After rebooting the scheme in January, they have given away over 200 free meals and still want to do more.

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Kevin Lloyd, a member of the Lions welfare team, said:

“We knew that many people have lost their jobs or were struggling with furlough wages, but we quickly understood there was more to it than that.

“Resurrected Bites helped us reach the financially challenged, but the school identified families facing other issues too. Many people have told me their story when ordering their meals, they have said it makes a real difference to know someone cares and wants to help.”

The Lions are asking anyone interested in getting involved in future projects to get in touch via their website or on Facebook.