The Isle of Man Community Meal donations group has turned its hand to making packed lunches for school children this summer, after the government’s announcement it will not be sending out any Shoprite food vouchers this summer.

Samantha Farrell set up the Facebook group at the beginning of the pandemic last March, making meals with her husband Gareth which were given out to elderly and vulnerable people who were shielding.

Last year the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC) launched a summer holiday food voucher scheme over the six-week break to help out families who were struggling due to the effects of the pandemic.

Uptake was around 90%.

Explaining the decision, department member Ann Corlett MHK said that while last year’s scheme was brought in under the Financial Provisions and Currency Act 2011 after special Tynwald approval, now the DESC’s powers to provide school meals outside term times are ’constrained’.

Mrs Farrell has so far raised £590 to support her efforts, funding the groceries for the lunches.

She pointed out the government were ’happy to spend over £120,000 on media training’ and increase incapacity benefits to £230 per week if in isolation, but would not be sending out vouchers to help families feed their children over the holidays this year.

Mrs Farrell said: ’So we have now decided to get things moving to help our youngest and most vulnerable.

’I will be creating packed lunches and distributing out island wide with a few collection points around the island.

’So please, if you’re in need, come forward once these have been announced.’

She added that further updates would be made on the IoM Community Meal Donations Facebook page, or people can call her on 410073.

The government’s decision to drop the scheme was also met with disappointment by Foodbank co-founder Neal Mellon, who questioned how it could be justified.

As the effects of the pandemic continue to be felt, he said that the Foodbank was currently helping around 150 families in need.

Garff MHK and former Children’s Champion Daphne Caine also criticised the government’s decision.

She told Manx Radio: ’It seems a huge pity because we know people are already struggling.

’People’s reserves are worn down emotionally and financially following the extreme year we’ve had.

’And I know from my time as Children’s Champion parents dread the summer holidays, the school uniform buying - one mother told me it was worse than Christmas.

’It’s one extra thing to worry about (meals), and it’s pretty much throwing it on the charities and the Foodbank to assist.

’Especially for poorer households where you know there are going to be choices, and they’ll be able to do less with their families during the summer.

’Because actually just feeding children for the entire summer holidays is a huge extra burden on some households.’