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Leeds business overwhelmed by community response after helping feed hungry kids over school holiday

The owner of a Horsforth garage has made a donation to a nearby bakery to ensure they were able to provide free pasties and sandwiches to any children who needed it. 

Phil Leeks, 49, and his business Town Garage, made the donation to Moore’s Bakery after hearing about families who were struggling to feed their children. 

Phil said: “It’s just an unbelievable position that the whole country is in and if there’s kids out there that are hungry we’ve got to start with them on a community level.” 

The staff of Town Garage chose to donate to Moore’s in Horsforth as it is where they eat for lunch every day. 

“I want the bakery to stay in business and I want our kids to get fed so it seemed like a win-win situation,” Phil added. 

After putting a message about the offer on a community Facebook page, Phil received hundreds of messages of support. 

He said: “I’ve probably had about a thousand responses on Facebook and private messages galore, it’s been absolutely bonkers.”

Becky, the owner of Moore’s Bakery, said: “It’s so nice to see the community spirit around Horsforth to try and help everyone out.” 

Although the offer was only available for the school half term holidays, an ‘overwhelming’ response from the community has led to another charity action. 

Writing on a community Facebook page, Town Garage said:  

“We thought it would be nice to donate the left over [sic] to St Georges crypt in Leeds who look after the homeless and hungry, we are going to save this up and closer to Christmas we will be going down with food parcels and supplies for them.” 

The act comes as the government recently announced another U-turn on their vote against the continuation of the free school meals scheme over school holidays amidst pressure from high profile figures including footballer Marcus Rashford. 

In recent days Boris Johnson announced a £170m winter grant scheme to support families in England as well as an extension of the school meals programme to Easter, summer and Christmas holidays in 2021. 

If you or your family are in need of assistance with food in the area, the Horsforth foodbank is open Wednesdays 2-4pm and Saturdays 10-12pm at Lister Hill Baptist Church on Brownberrie Avenue. 

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