Sheffield mum shares heartbreaking reason she’s feeding school children beyond half term

This time, Anna Calvello said she will be making a family favourite meal every week and delivering to deserving families for free.

The 38-year-old said the decision came after her initiatives to give away free packed lunches to children over the holidays were "such a huge success".

"I have decided that one night, each week up to Christmas, I am going to be making a family favourite meal and delivering to families completely free of charge.

"I will be making and delivering chilli this Thursday," she said.

The former business development technology, who lost her job a few months ago due to Covid-19 outbreak, said she wanted to help people just like how her father did.

"My father was a very successful, self-made businessman and he came with nothing,” she said.

"But nine years ago, he took his own life. He was the most humble person you could ever imagine.

"So I just want to help people, especially those who are struggling with mental health issues but also have to look after their children," she said.

She said her target now is families from the low income group. Although she uses her own money for the food, more local shops have come forward to help her.

"I am still doing it on my own but shops on Ecclesall Road and Sharrow Vale have started to donate things like crisps, bread, cheese and ham," she said.

She also did not rule out the possibility of keeping the effort going beyond Christmas - even when she has a job.

"If I can do it after Christmas, then I may just do it for a long time,” she said.

Anna has been giving out packed lunches around the S11 area in Sheffield after knowing the UK government voted against pleas to extend free school meals to children over the half term.

"My little girl has special education needs and I want to make her feel proud in front of the headmaster that she has been helping me during the half term,” she said.