Charity serves its one millionth free meal

Carol Shanahan, left, founded the Hubb Foundation now led by CEO Adam Yates

A charity providing free food and activities for vulnerable families has served its one millionth meal this summer.

The Hubb Foundation in Stoke-on-Trent was set up in 2018 by Port Vale FC chairwoman Carol Shanahan in a bid to help parents who were struggling financially.

As well as offering free food, the charity puts on entertainment for children during school holidays and has held almost 1,000 sessions.

Ms Shanahan told BBC Radio Stoke it was “humbling” for the charity to have reached the millionth meal milestone.

“If you’d have said to me in 2018 that in 2024 we’d be serving our millionth meal, I probably wouldn’t have believed you because the enormity of that is just too much,” she said.

“The need won’t stop and it’s really up to us to make sure that all children in Stoke-on-Trent get food and get activities.”

The Hubb Foundation made a special cake to mark its one millionth meal

Mum-of-two Katie Martin, who has been using the service since it started, said it had been “amazing” for her and other parents.

“It gives us parents a break, financially as well. We don’t have to provide that meal and we don’t have to provide entertainment so it’s been brilliant for us,” she added.

Former Port Vale defender Adam Yates, Hubb Foundation chief executive officer, said holidays were “pressure points” for parents and that keeping children entertained could be expensive irrespective of social circumstances.

“Giving them memorable experiences and entertainment over the holiday periods eases that pressure on families,” he said.