'Plates for Prentis' event gives Banbury area residents way to speak out on free meals for school children issue

A Banbury woman has launched an event to help area residents show how they feel about the government's vote on the free meals for school children during holiday breaks.
The plate decorated and made by Sara Johnstone that she will deliver with several to the office of Banbury MP Victoria Prentis in DeddingtonThe plate decorated and made by Sara Johnstone that she will deliver with several to the office of Banbury MP Victoria Prentis in Deddington
The plate decorated and made by Sara Johnstone that she will deliver with several to the office of Banbury MP Victoria Prentis in Deddington

Sara Johnstone and a few of her friends launched the 'Plates for Prentis' event, which encourages area residents to decorate a paper plate showing how they feel about the government's vote and refusal to extend free school meals for children into the half term.

Sarah said: "I'm inviting people to write a message expressing their disappointment with Prentis's recent vote on a paper plate and get it to one of several collection points around Banbury. Then several people and myself will take the plates to her office in Deddington."

So far the group, which has its own event page on Facebook called Plates for Prentis, has collected more than a dozen decorated plates some of which have Bible quotes, some are sad faces and some have pretty angry sayings on them too.

According to the Facebook group's event page, which can been seen here: https://www.facebook.com/events/283436519480215 more than 50 people said they're participating in the event.

The event page said: "If you are angered by Victoria Prentis's recent vote to not extend free school meals during school holidays please express your disgust by creating a paper plate with a message to leave at her office."

All plates will be put in front of Prentis's office in Deddington on Friday. Alternatively, please drop off your plate between 2-4.15pm this Friday October 30. Please wear a mask while dropping off your plate, and practice safe social distancing.

Sara added: "People are really struggling now, so stopping a source of steady meals for children seems quite draconian if I'm honest. I know I'm not the only one who felt that way. I decided she needs to understand how upset people are over this."

Victoria Prentis posted the following statement about the issue of free meals for school children on her website: "The last few months have highlighted to everybody the importance of access to food. I am not blind to the challenges many children and families are currently facing.

"I chaired the task force for the vulnerable throughout the pandemic to coordinate our response and help ensure those most in need could access food and other essential supplies.

"Schools have worked tirelessly during the pandemic. It is neither reasonable nor sustainable to ask them to continue to provide food for pupils outside of term time. Free school meals have only ever been meant for eligible pupils during term-time. It is important that these arrangements return.

"It is critical that families get the support they need. The best way to make this happen is not through schools but through the welfare system.

"An extra £9bn has been put into it to help. Local authorities know who are struggling. It is exactly why the government set up a specific fund of £63 million in June for local authorities to help those most in need to afford food and other essentials.

"When I spoke to the Trussell Trust and Children’s Society less than a fortnight ago, they told me that the targeted fund was particularly useful and was reaching those who needed it most.

"I talk regularly to volunteer groups, food bank organisations and other redistribution charities, including FareShare who also received a large sum of government money in May.

"I remain absolutely committed to ensuring that the right support is there for those who most need it so that we can get through this pandemic together."

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