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One of the most heartwarming stories of these difficult months has been spearheaded by footballer and national hero Marcus Rashford. His ongoing campaign to make sure that the austerity caused by the pandemic doesn’t deprive children of a square meal has gathered pace, with numerous local authorities lending their support – and some for this week’s half-term.
‘This is not politics, this is humanity,’ tweeted Rashford, who has fought to keep his campaign apolitical. His message is that six months of lockdown has left children from families living below the poverty line short of basic needs – and that urgent help is needed to fill the gap over the half-term break.
A parliamentary motion to provide 1.4 million disadvantaged children with food vouchers was defeated last week, but local authorities and businesses around the country have stepped in to lend their support. The London councils that will be providing vouchers or meals are listed below.
Brent Council:
We will provide a £15 food voucher to parents of eligible children this half term.
— Brent Council (@Brent_Council) October 23, 2020
No child should have to go hungry and we are proud to support @MarcusRashford. #EndChildFoodPovertyhttps://t.co/LUfpo3Ipvb pic.twitter.com/vtphzpO8E2
Greenwich Council:
Although the government aren’t providing free school meals for kids during school holidays, we’re still offering support. We’re serving free, nutritious meals to kids this #halfterm. Find the nearest location and times near you here https://t.co/Yoi0Ej7yUx #FreeSchoolMeals pic.twitter.com/fkL066XIle
— Royal Greenwich (@Royal_Greenwich) October 23, 2020
Hackney Council:
No child should go hungry this-half term.
— Hackney Council (@hackneycouncil) October 23, 2020
We're proud to support @MarcusRashford's campaign, and we'll step in where the Government has stepped out.
Details for families on how to access vouchers 👇#ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTYhttps://t.co/h6KWrzUIcf
Hammersmith & Fulham Council:
We're giving every pupil in need free meal vouchers over the half term break. That's to ensure 5,000 primary and secondary school pupils don't go hungry. Plus, we're delivering 600 breakfasts every morning to pupils. #ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTYhttps://t.co/4ZbJVqfM2i
— H&F Council (@LBHF) October 22, 2020
Lambeth Council:
Hi, thanks for getting in touch regarding this. Please see our announcement here: https://t.co/Dph8ox5pda regarding this. Thanks
— Lambeth Council (@lambeth_council) October 23, 2020
Redbridge Council:
If the government will not feed hungry children, this London Borough will.
— Councillor K Chowdhury (@khayerc) October 22, 2020
Despite the austerity imposed on us, @RedbridgeLive will fund school lunches for all children in need over the half term & Christmas holidays.
No child will be hungry in Redbridge.#ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY pic.twitter.com/RIE585Uz9b
Richmond Council:
NEWFLASH: Following the #Government failure to agree #FreeSchoolMeals for hard-pressed families over #HalfTerm – we have just announced that we will fund a voucher scheme! Updates on eligibility to follow! https://t.co/ST2GLk0rLi pic.twitter.com/XpACGF9aft
— Richmond Council (@LBRUT) October 23, 2020
Southwark Council:
Brent Council:
Hounslow Council:
And these brilliant London businesses are stepping up to supply fresh meals and packed lunches this week, too:
Delighted to say @lb_southwark will fund free school meals this half term
— Cllr Kieron Williams (@kieronjwilliams) October 22, 2020
It's the decision the Government should have made yesterday, since they've failed we're stepping in today to help #ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY
We've just written to all schools with full details@MarcusRashford
Brent Council:
We will provide a £15 food voucher to parents of eligible children this half term.
— Brent Council (@Brent_Council) October 23, 2020
No child should have to go hungry and we are proud to support @MarcusRashford. #EndChildFoodPovertyhttps://t.co/LUfpo3Ipvb pic.twitter.com/vtphzpO8E2
Hounslow Council:
Hounslow Council https://t.co/Sf3MX4sMX9
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) October 24, 2020
And these brilliant London businesses are stepping up to supply fresh meals and packed lunches this week, too:
📍London Fields pic.twitter.com/uFEkRkRK4I
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) October 25, 2020
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) October 23, 2020
📍Tooting pic.twitter.com/1VoY9VIcXf
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) October 23, 2020
I’m Grateful 2 @MarcusRashford who took t initiative & @Jemima_Khan who RT & backed up t campaign [I picked up frm J’s RT]-@usamaLondon
— MeatandShake (@MeatandShake) October 24, 2020
Honoured 2 b part of it 1/2#ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY
Tooting's Meat and Shake 2offer free school lunches during half term https://t.co/HOhMKdm9iN
@MarcusRashford I don’t know if you’ve seen this but a great family bakery in Tower Hamlets offering free meals to families in need @MarcusRashford #FreeSchoolMeals pic.twitter.com/ggjOxRzLZl
— Anais Crane (@AnaisCrane) October 25, 2020
We stand with @MarcusRashford! #ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY It has never been more important to ensure no child is ever left hungry. We will proudly serve and support our community 💜🖤 pic.twitter.com/GyJWnFtIKy
— The Kitchen (@TheKitchenmkpl) October 25, 2020
We are joining @MarcusRashford and hundreds of other Restaurants around the country and pledging 1000 free Rice Error meals for Children this half term.
— BAO Official (@bao_london) October 24, 2020
Available to pickup at BAO Soho, Borough, Netil Market. 50 free meals a day from each restaurant. pic.twitter.com/FGvqgPKHV2
📍London pic.twitter.com/7TZRSoa54C
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) October 24, 2020
Hi @MNetIslington please can you retweet this. Next week for local kids 100 hot meals a day @MarcusRashford pic.twitter.com/TqOnGTg5qm
— Lucy Quick (@Lucy_Quick) October 25, 2020
No child should ever go hungry. If you usually get free school meals then please contact us at info@bokicoffee.com and we'll prepare a healthy lunch box for you.#FreeSchoolMeals #NoChildGoesHungry @MarcusRashford @BoxparkWembley @WembleyParkLDN pic.twitter.com/nkjVptLVZU
— Boki (@Bokicoffee) October 25, 2020
𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 👋
— Richmond Rugby (@RichmondFC1861) October 26, 2020
It's been a busy first day of our free meals initiative with club volunteers delivering food to over 45 local kids today!
Also great to have @AFP at the club interviewing @DomPalacio.
💛❤️🖤#ThisIsRichmond #RichmondFamily pic.twitter.com/zV5gUjWKyH
We at Dough Bakehouse stand with @MarcusRashford and the campaign to #ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY
— Carina (@carinalepore) October 26, 2020
We will be offering a free lunch to anyone who quotes "RASHFORD" in our bakeries 🙌
Drop by Herne Hill or Beckenham and quote "RASHFORD" between 12 and 2pm (Mon-Fri)! 💕 pic.twitter.com/tRd7bGi3F5
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The government can say no to school dinners for kids that need it, but we can’t.
— The Schoolhouse (@SchoolhouseLDN) October 25, 2020
From Mon - Frid this half term we will be offering a free takeaway lunch to any child that is in need.
If you are a parent or if you know someone that needs help this half term, please DM/call us. pic.twitter.com/kDhHKwFFwZ
‘Blown away by news of local businesses stepping up to fill the voucher scheme deficit during the October half-term. Selflessness, kindness, togetherness, this is the England I know,’ Rashford tweeted on Thursday night.
Follow or contribute to the campaign on Twitter via the hashtag #ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY. You can also donate to FareShare London here.
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