Sarah Lewis says summer “can be really tough on those having a hard time making ends meet”.
Image source, Mel’s ChippyA chip shop owner who offers £1 children’s meals to struggling families said she has been overwhelmed by demand.
Mel’s Chippy in Penygroes, Carmarthenshire, has run the offer since the start of the summer holidays.
Owners Sarah and Mel Lewis said they had served more than 250 cut-price dishes in just under one month.
Customers and other businesses have also contributed money and food to help keep the scheme going.
Having already ladled out free soup last October, seasoned community worker Ms Lewis, 48, said she knew the time was right for a follow-up.
“It’s mad. We never expected the take-up to be so crazy,” she added.
“This is an area with a higher than average amount of families whose little ones receive free school meals,” said the mother-of-six.
“So those six weeks off can be really tough on those mums and dads who might be having a hard time making ends meet.
“And, with less council-run help initiatives on the go than during Covid, we’re just trying to make things a little bit easier for people.”
Image source, Sarah Lewis
She said she was careful to avoid the social stigma that can come with certain types of food aid and wanted this “to be as easy going as possible, with no red tape or forms to fill out”.
“Kids can just pop in and say they want a £1 meal and that’s just what they’ll get.”
Ms Lewis does her best to make sure her budget menu constantly changes “because I see the same faces more or less every single day throughout the holidays I try to make sure they aren’t getting chips all the time”.
As well as the takeaway staple, she offers pasta, curry and rice, and meatballs and mash, as well as a piece of fruit and a drink with each meal.
“I just hope little initiatives like this, where everyone clubs together, can create a ripple effect and influence those in power to implement change for the better,” she added.
Cost of living schemes across Wales
Other similar schemes are being run elsewhere in the country.
Last summer the Ivor Hael Hotel in Llwynypia, Rhondda Cynon Taf, introduced 50p meals for families finding it hard to cope during the cost-of-living crisis.
Pub staff provided frozen meals ready to take home to anyone with a voucher from a food bank.
Similarly, the Bloom Inn in Skewen, Neath Port Talbot, offered “no questions asked” free hot meals throughout the school summer holidays to help ease the bite of the financial crisis.