With children all over the country facing uncertainty as to where their next meal might come from, a Falmouth-based fish and chip shop has stepped up to fill the gap.

The Gem Fish and Chips bar, which is run by Helen and Dominic Kurdyla, has taken it upon themselves to give away free meals to children who find themselves in need, as well as NHS workers short on time and needing a hot dinner.

Customers are able to come in and buy additional meals for those in need in order to cover the costs of providing the meals, in a simlar fashion to the suspended coffee scheme that looked to provide hot drinks for those without homes to go to. 

Having taken inspiration from Marcus Rashford MBE and his free school meals campaign, the pair decided back in October that they would start feeding those most in need in their community, with no judgement or questions asked.

Helen, who has lived in the area for 19 years, said, "we said back in October that anyone who is financially struggling and wanting a hot meal should come in.

"We'd posted it up on Facebook and Instagram and people donated, so we put out a shout at Christmas and nobody really came in for it, so we still had all these meals ready from the money we'd gotten.

"I wanted to give them out to the local community."

Read Next:

With the recent food packages scandal and government dithering around free school meals, Helen and Dominic decided that it was time to step in.

"Children shouldn't have to ask for meals, they should have them provided, and if it means having them come in for a hot meal with no questions asked then that is a must!

"Often the kids will come in without their parents and I don't want to be asking questions and making them feel awkward when they come in."

Helen and Dominic have also been offering free meals to NHS staff who might have found themselves short on either time or money and claimed that the response they got was amazing.

Falmouth Packet:

"We did that for four months and it was amazing, really really good.

"People have come in saying 'we heard you're giving out meals and we'd like to add two kids meals onto our bill for the children that come in, paying it forward.

Our staff have also been amazing, we really are a family here y'know."

If you or someone you know is having trouble finding enough to eat, Helen, Dominic and the rest of the team at The Gem Fish & Chips are waiting to hear from you and can be found at 6 Quarry Hill in Falmouth.

  • If you're also a business helping out this half term then let us know at editorial@packetseries.co.uk