A free lunch scheme based in Christchurch is coming to an end, with the founding chef citing too great an emotional toll to keep the business running. Ben Atkinson started Fill Their Lunchbox two and a half years ago, and estimates that the initiative has donated over 50,000 lunches in that time. However, he has now announced that the service will end on August 10.
"It's a sad announcement but at the same time we don't see it as a failure. It's a time for us to reflect on the many successes of fill their lunchbox," he said in a live video to the Fill Their Lunchbox Facebook page. "To date we have donated over 54,000 lunches to Canterbury kids in needs. We've been able to give them the opportunity to learn on an equal playing field to other kids that typically get to eat well every day. We've given them a chance to understand that there's actually people out there that care about them and that hope they're doing OK."
Atkinson has announced that he will remain on the Fill Their Lunchbox board but will search for “normal employment” having opted out of leading the next phase.
"For those that work in the food industry or hospitality industry you will be aware that it's a very hard slog," he said. "Some weeks I struggle to pay my rent, some weeks I don't eat very well. It means there's a lot of sacrifices from me personally. I'm 32 now, I'm looking towards my future, I need to look at putting myself in a better situation to do these things."
The initiative still has some assets, including a 40ft container kitchen.
