'Without free meal, it's a cup of soup for dinner'

A community cafe in Lincolnshire is reporting a sharp increase in demand for free meals as residents cite rising living costs, while businesses across the U.S. prepare to offer free doughnuts for a national promotion^[1][2].

At the Centenary Methodist Church in Boston, Lincolnshire, volunteers say the number of people coming for meals rose by about 50% at the start of the year^[1]. Joanna Criddle, in charge of community meals, said numbers which are usually around 60 to 70 went up to over 90^[1]. Carol Kemp, 64, who receives meals there, said she often has "a packet of soup and a bit of bread" for dinner because of bills^[1]. A single dad named Scott, 36, said he lives "from pay check to pay check" and uses the cafe for a "good home-cooked meal" and socializing^[1]. The cafe also helps prevent loneliness for visitors like 90-year-old widow Audrey Burrell^[1]. A government spokesperson said household incomes have risen by 5% in real terms and pointed to a support fund for local authorities^[1]. Separately, several U.S. businesses are offering free items on June 5th^[2]. Krispy Kreme is providing a free doughnut of choice with no purchase required^[2]. Dunkin' is giving a free doughnut with any beverage purchase^[2]. 7-Eleven rewards members can get classic glazed doughnuts for 50 cents each^[2]. Other promotions include a free classic doughnut and rubber duck with any dozen purchase at Duck Donuts, and a free original glazed doughnut with any purchase every Friday in June at Shipley Donuts^[2]. The Salvation Army will also distribute doughnuts to veterans at multiple locations^[2]. In unrelated programming, BBC Radio 4 will air an episode of 'Free Thinking' discussing the ethics of wealth accumulation, hosted by Alex Forsyth with a panel including Wendy Chamberlain MP^[3]. The program was recorded at St Mary's Church in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria^[3].