Pupil in Abingdon creates food initiative to help the homeless

Lizzie, a year three pupil at The Manor Preparatory School in Abingdon has kick-started an initiative which has seen students donating food ingredients to the Homeless Outreach Programme at St Ebbe’s Church, in Oxford.

Lizzie (middle) and other pupils preparing food for the homeless. Photo credit: The Manor Preparatory School (Image: The Manor Preparatory School)

Lizzie noticed how many homeless people there were on the streets and when she spoke to her parents about it, she was surprised and upset to hear that homelessness is a problem which also exists right on her doorstep.

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She spoke to the school’s charity co-ordinator, who is also the head of food technology, and together they came up with a plan.

Lizzie delivered a whole school assembly on Monday, February 27 to explain what homelessness is and how her school might be able to help.

Lizzie along with several other pupils donated ingredients and made meals in classes which will later be donated to St Ebbe's Church. 

Recipes were specifically chosen which could be frozen and defrosted by the church as and when needed.

Headteacher Alastair Thomas said: “It is important to us as a school to encourage our children to think about others and be aware of the challenges faced by many in our local community.

“We were delighted when Lizzie came to talk to us about her concerns and with her ideas about what we could do to help.

“We are always keen to support child-led initiatives and the awareness of homelessness which Lizzie has helped to raise throughout the school is something to be commended.”

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1