The government made the very unfortunate decision not to provide free school meals for children over the October half term period. Despite doing so over the summer, the UK Government decided it would not continue this as we enter a period where many impoverished children may struggle to find food. As a result of this, many different businesses have responded by offering to feed these children instead.
Many food-based businesses are struggling as a result of Covid-19-induced closures this year, yet a number of different locations have made the generous decision to offer to step in for the children, at a time when they need it most.
Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, who was recently awarded an MBE, has been on a mission to create change, and has led the way for this campaign. Yesterday Marcus proceeded to retweet a long list of places offering free school meals for children that desperately need it at this time.
A number of Liverpool venues were included in that list.
The Watering Can’s Keith and Phil used Facebook to share their stance and response, saying:
“We are deeply saddened by the recent announcements regarding the removal of free school meals, the Tories general disregard for the North, and their rhetoric of the poor are poor because they don’t work hard enough. So, this Half Term (Monday to Friday) we are offering free takeaway packed lunches for kids who access free meals at school”
See their details here:
The Watering Can
64 Greenbank Road,
Liverpool
L18 1HQ
RayRayZ Caribbean said in a statement:
“Due to the government’s decision to not support Children’s free meal during the holidays… 1.4 million children will go without food. We at RayRayZ Caribbean are going to be providing lunch this October half term for any children whose families may be struggling during this time.”
Find their details below:
RayRayz Caribbean
173 Park Road
Liverpool
L8 6SE
Taste Sandwich Bar in Dingle said they were: “Jumping on the bandwagon” and showed their generosity by offering free lunches for needy children too.
See their details here:
Taste Sandwich Bar
51 Dingle Lane
L8 9RW
A Twitter user went to the effort to compile a list of all the venues across the UK that were participating in this nationwide community effort by creating a Google map with the addresses, so people can easily find their nearest location to access this help. There are a number of eateries around the North West, including Merseyside and Cheshire which are also participating in this effort.
See the complete map of UK venues that are offering to step up to provide free meals for impoverished school children here.
Click here to sign Marcus Rashford’s petition to support vulnerable children and put pressure on the government to change their mind on this issue.
