Feeding Communities

Leighton Park has partnered with our catering company, Thomas Franks Ltd, to share an established initiative with our local community for the very first time.

Feeding Communities is a project launched by Thomas Franks in March 2020 that enabled their talented chefs who would otherwise have been furloughed to offer delicious and nutritious food to those in need using the kitchen facilities of their clients. Meals are provided free to struggling local families through the generosity of Thomas Franks and their clients, like Leighton Park, who want to make a difference. And even better, the initiative has spread across the globe with many of Thomas Franks international clients also taking part.

Food poverty is a serious issue worldwide and Reading is no exception. With so many who were barely getting by before the pandemic being hard hit by illness, isolation or furlough, residents local to the school have been identified as needing support. Leighton Park has been delighted to get involved with Feeding Communities this term to help families at Ridgeway Primary, a school very nearby with a high proportion of families in need, with 100 frozen meals per week and 230 snacks for their pupils, children of keyworkers, who are in school.

In addition, we are supporting keyworker children at Loddon Primary School with a Friday treat. Leighton Park Year 10 students have been encouraging literacy with the Year 4 Loddon pupils through their Community, Action, Service (CAS) programme and although opportunities to meet up and read together in person have been limited due to Covid this year, this is one way to reach out and connect. Leighton Park and Thomas Franks are providing a snack during morning break every Friday, delivered by Assistant Head: Outreach and Partnership, Natasha Coccia.

Amy Baker, Year 4 teacher at Loddon Primary commented, “The children were so excited to receive the goodies this afternoon. We were able to give Year 4s theirs and then share the rest out with the remaining bubbles in Key Stage 2.”

“One of the exciting things about working with Thomas Franks is that they share our values.” reflected Tash, “When you look at the work they are doing to support and promote access to nutritious food, it is nothing short of inspiring. At Leighton Park we are working closely with Alessandro  – our talented Head Chef on this campaign. Alessandro was immediately on board with the aims of this project and getting meals to families in need via our schools network. He put us in contact with the Feeding Communities team at Thomas Franks to help get the ball rolling. This is the power of partnership working: it can be impactful and immediate from just one conversation.”

“I am currently doing this all by myself,” said Alessandro, “I am the only work working now, everyone else is on furlough. We don’t have that many boarders in school so it is manageable. THere is time and I can blast the radio very loud without putting my headphones on! I feel very proud and blessed to be part of this.”