Landladies of Southampton pub appealing for gift donations

The Yacht Tavern on Sea Road provided free packed lunches to hungry children during lockdown.

Landladies Jo Chapman and Kirsty Mann – who took over the pub last year, have decided to extend their community work by asking customers and now the wider public to contribute to gift hampers.

• Free school meals for children in need in Southampton

Speaking about the intended recipients, she said: “These are families who have been recognised as being that far below the poverty line that even with the governments school meal voucher scheme still wouldn’t get a lunchtime meal.

“These families will likely struggle at Christmas so the hampers are about giving those kids the extras that their friends in school may have.”

Donations have been pouring in since the appeal was posted on Facebook at the end of October.

“I’ve got a whole bar full of donations already, probably enough for 12 hampers,” said Jo.

The project’s goal is to make 50 hampers, with any excess planned to be re-distributed to local veterans through Southampton Veterans Drop-In Centre in Woolston.

Suggested donations include; selection boxes, tinned veg and small gifts.

• Pictures of Southampton's pubs from the past

The pub worked with Swaythling Parish Church to distribute school lunches during lockdown and their partnership will continue with the distribution of the hampers.

Sarah Dockree, Community Engagement Volunteer at Swaythling Parish Church confirmed that they will be working with the pub and local schools to “identify families most in need.”

It is not yet confirmed which schools will be contributing to the project.

Donations can be dropped off at The Yacht Tavern until December 20th.