Hot lunches for families who struggle to cope with the extra cost of meals during school holidays are being served up at Warden House Primary School during the Easter break.

The school, in Birdwood Avenue, has been welcoming children to its Holiday Kitchen since yesterday to tackle what has been named as ‘holiday hunger’.

Until Thursday, April 13, the weekday service will remain on offer to families in Deal and the surrounding areas who receive income support and are entitled to free school dinners.

Parent Gina Herbert, 30, of Park Avenue, has been working with Whole School Meals (WSM), a local lunch provider, to offer the service.

WSM is running the kitchen and providing the cooking staff as well as funding the project until the end of 2017, by when, it is hoped, more funding will be secured.

Mrs Herbert said: “After seeing Jamie Oliver’s new quest of keeping schools open during school holidays to help families who might not be able to cope with the extra cost of meals during the weeks off school, I looked into it in much more depth.

“I learnt that something I didn’t even realise was an issue, would actually help people in my own town.”

The Holiday Kitchen is located in Warden House Primary School but is not just for Warden House pupils.

Mrs Herbert said: “There are about 300 children in Deal that receive free school dinners and we will include any preschool children and families who use the foodbank.

“If they’re in need of a meal at lunchtime, they’re welcome to come and join us provided they are accompanied by their parent.

“It’s not just a meal on offer, it’s also the chance for families to come and socialise for an hour.

“This is a community project aimed to help and to make sure children are able to eat at least one hot meal a day.”

The project has linked up with Fair Share, which takes surplus food from supermarkets that would otherwise go to unnecessary waste.

Mrs Herbert said: “Food from Fair Share is often past the display date but not past the use by date and can be used perfectly well. Their help will be invaluable.

“J. Prentis greengrocers, in Deal High Street, will be generously donating some food to us as well.

“I’ve spoken to independent retailers in Deal and would welcome any support they can offer.

“Our aim is to help stop food waste by making lots of delicious meals for people who need them. All the food is going to be quality controlled.”

Warden House school principal Graham Chisnell said: “We are really excited to support this project in support of families across Deal.

“As a school we support the Deal Foodbank project and are proud to be partners with Holiday Kitchen.

“Projects like this really connect to our school values and give our pupils a heartfelt message of how strong partnerships in our community can make a real difference to children.”

They will be serving weekdays from noon until 12.30pm.