Sheffield mum-of-two who lost her job due to Covid gives away free meals for children

Not willing to see unfortunate children go hungry this half term, a mother-of-two from Sheffield decided to do something about it.
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Anna Calvello, of Ecclesall, has been giving out packed lunches around the S11 area in Sheffield after the Government voted against pleas to extend free school meals to children over the half term.

The 37-year-old, who lost her job due to the coronavirus pandemic a few months ago, said she understood the situation faced by those who struggle to provide for their families, especially the single parents.

Anna Calvello and her 8-year-old daughterAnna Calvello and her 8-year-old daughter
Anna Calvello and her 8-year-old daughter
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She said: "I have got two children - 12 and eight - who are fortunate… I lost my job due to Covid, a job that I was already happy with.

"Luckily, I have got a husband who can support me and I am currently looking for work. But I think times are hard enough, especially for single parents.

"Why give them something to worry about when times are already difficult? Why add this to their worry? It is not fair.

"I think being a parent, especially on your own, is already hard, so why make it more difficult for them?"

37-year-old Anna Calvello has been giving out packed lunches to unfortunate children in S11 area.37-year-old Anna Calvello has been giving out packed lunches to unfortunate children in S11 area.
37-year-old Anna Calvello has been giving out packed lunches to unfortunate children in S11 area.

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Mrs Calvello, who previously worked as a business development technology executive, said she aims to give away packed lunches in more deprived areas around Sheffield.

"I am wanting to target different areas for these packed lunches," she said, adding that she would go to Norfolk Heritage Park for her Thursday delivery at 1pm.

The packed lunches are a variety of ham, tuna or cheese sandwiches, with cake and some crisps and fruits on the side.

The packed lunches that Anna has been giving out for free.The packed lunches that Anna has been giving out for free.
The packed lunches that Anna has been giving out for free.

She said she has been using her own money to bear the cost.

"The two bags of crisps were contributed from the newsagent from the corner where I live but everything else I paid for myself," she said.

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Mrs Calvello, who turns 38 on Friday (October 30), said she also wanted to do something different this year.

"Instead of receiving gifts that are not necessarily needed this year, I want to give back so I'm looking for ideas or places to visit this coming Friday to hand out packed lunches," she said.