Lancaster project offers families free school holiday lunch

Apoth-a-kids, a free to all summer holiday lunch club, will run between 12pm to 2pm from July 23 every weekday until August 31.

The project is run by landlord Mark Cutter and his team at bar and restaurant 75 Church Street, formerly The Duke of Lancaster, in Church Street.

Mark initially set up the project at The Apothecary in Penny Street.

There is also a project being launched at Mark’s other business - a board game cafe called Dice and Donuts, in Preston.

The Apoth-a-kids programme was born from the free food initiative he has been running from various bars since the December 2015 floods.

The free food initiative aims to provide food for anyone so that it is there for everyone.

He said: “The team and I were really proud of the work we did last summer with the Apoth-a-kids programme. We were astounded by the response and it just goes to show how important it is for local businesses to step in and support the community. 
“Knowing what a huge impact this had in the community last year we are very excited to move into year two at our new venue 75 Church Street and expand into Preston with Dice and Donuts.”

He added: “Not everyone’s needs are visible and it’s important to the ethos of this work that everybody has access to food.”

Earlier this month the Morecambe Bay Poverty Truth Commission was launched to give a voice to those experiencing poverty in the Morecambe Bay area.

In the summer of 2017 over 200 children and their families took part in the Apoth-a-kids programme each week, receiving a free meal and taking part in a variety of planned activities every day.

The sessions run between 12pm and 2pm with a different activity planned for each day.

There is no need to book but children must be accompanied at all times.

Find out more at www.apoth-a-kids.co.uk or email [email protected].