A vision to help children start the day with a full stomach has led Edgecumbe’s Manna Café to launch a free breakfast programme for school-aged children.

The initiative started two weeks ago and offers free cereal and fruit from 7.30am to 9am, Monday to Friday.

Owner Ali Edwards said the idea came after seeing the level of need in the community through a recent food drive.

“It was actually just a vision from the Lord,” she said. “Jesus gave me this vision of kids sitting in here having breakfast. Then after we did our May food drive, I realised how much need there is for food.”

Edwards said many families had been grateful to receive food parcels, highlighting the ongoing pressure created by the cost of living.

“Especially when you have to try to decide whether you’re going to buy petrol or food,” she said.

“It’s so hard for families to eat healthy as well. It just leaves you with very little options in the way of food.”

The breakfast programme is open to all.

“It’s available for everyone. You don’t have to meet any specific criteria,” Edwards said.

“My kids use it. Even mums that come in and have no idea it’s available are using it now. If their kids see the Weet-Bix and want some, we say, ‘Yeah, go for it!’”

Located near a school bus stop, the café hopes students travelling on the bus in the mornings will also make use of the service.

Edwards said the programme was designed to complement, rather than replace, existing school breakfast initiatives.

“I know the high school does breakfast, which is amazing, and some of the local schools also do breakfast.”

While the breakfasts are funded largely by the café itself, community members have already begun donating cereal and other supplies.

“The community has just come together so beautifully with it,” Edwards said.

“It just shows how much of a need there is and how much people want to help.”

She said making the breakfasts free was an important part of the café’s values.

“I believe this is my ministry and we’re here to share the love of Christ,” she said.

“The community’s also been very, very generous, and it’s become a community thing as well.”

Looking ahead, Edwards hopes to expand the offering with cooked breakfasts such as waffles, pancakes, bacon and eggs if demand grows.

“I’d love to have this whole space full of kids,” she said.

“The space is here, it’s available – use it. I just want kids to feel safe and welcome and know they don’t have to be shy.”