The Newcastle charity combating half-term hunger in the city

Vinnie’s Cafe was set up at St Vincent’s as a service to provide a walk in or takeaway lunch so people could have a warm home cooked meal

The centre provides hot meals for people around the year but always see a rise in families arriving at the centre during school holidays

Emma Bell is the project manager and she has seen families struggling during the holidays especially working families

Vinnie’s cafe, on New Bridge Street, Newcastle, receives donations from local shops and community groups throughout the year and everything is cooked fresh on site. Jan cooks those meals for people and families and she always feels the pressure during the school holidays

Volunteers are working hard to give people that little extra support that they need during the year and especially through the school holidays

As the number of people accessing charities and food banks for meals during half term increases we spoke to one charity who is doing all they can to help the community. Here in the North East the number of families accessing meals from food banks and charities has increased during half term.

This is because children can’t access free school meals like they can during term time. I visited St Vincent’s where they are giving back to the community in Newcastle. I spoke with some of the volunteers who are doing all they can to help.