A huge number of local businesses have stepped in to help.
Following the announcement that the UK government would not be extending any help via the free school meals scheme this October half term, a number of Greater Manchester businesses have stepped in to help – providing free meals to those in need and continuing the huge momentum of Marcus Rashford’s child food poverty campaign.
Offering a helping hand in the form of takeaway packed lunches and sit-down hot meals, here are just some of the businesses offering free school meals this half term.
Seven Bro7hers, Salford
Seven Bro7hers, Middlewood Locks, has made up packed lunches to take away for children in need this half term. They’re available to collect from the bar Monday-Friday 10am-12pm, with hot soup for parents to enjoy, too. Seven Bro7hers, Lockside Ln, Salford, M5 4YP.
Pho, City Centre
Pho has pledged to donate 6,000 meals to children this half term, with staff on hand to discreetly give these out to those in need. Many of their restaurants in the UK are participating, including Manchester. Pho, 37 Hanging Ditch The Corn Exchange, M4 3TR.
Almost Famous, City Centre
Almost Famous is offering a free burger and chips to takeaway for any families in need this October half term. All you have to do is show up and pick one up. For families dining in, all kids will eat free during half term, too. Almost Famous, 100-102 High St, M4 1HP | Unit 2, Great Northern, Peter St, M3 4EN.
Khandoker, Didsbury
Khandoker is making free hot meals for children in need this half term on request, with the restaurant accepting messages over social media to claim theirs discreetly.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Greater Manchester Combined Authority is distributing 1,000 vouchers across the half term, which will provide children with a free Co-op meal deal.
Pendulum Hotel, City Centre
Pendulum Hotel is creating 15 packed lunches every day, which will be available to collect from their city centre hotel. Pendulum Hotel, Sackville St, M1 3BB.
Pizza And Waffle Shack, Wythenshawe
Pizza & Waffle Shack has vowed to feed the community, packing up both hot and cold packed lunches for children this half term. Available between 10am and 4pm, these can be collected from the restaurant every day. Pizza & Waffle Shack, Alderman Gatley House, Hale Top, Civic Centre, Wythenshawe, M22 5RQ.
Salford City Council
Salford Council is continuing to support those who receive free school meals, with £10 weekly in vouchers to those who would usually rely on term-time meals. Salford City Council, Salford Civic Centre, Swinton, M27 5AW.
Fireaway Pizza, Bury
Fireaway Pizza is offering free kids pizzas to those in need this half term, with the restaurant accepting messages on social media to claim. The pizzas are served daily from 12.30pm til 2pm. Fireaway Pizza, 27 Bolton Rd, Bury, BL8 2AB.
Coffee and Cream, Bury
Coffee and Cream has stepped up to provide sandwiches for all children entitled to free school meals this half term, which are available to pick up from the cafe. Coffee and Cream, 152 Willow Street, Bury, BL9 7PS.
Coffee Bar 292, Middleton
Coffee Bar 2nine2 will be offering free school meals over the half term in Middleton. Just pop in to claim yours. Coffee Bar 2nine2, 292 Grimshaw Ln, Middleton, M24 2XL.
Morrisons, multiple stores
Morrisons is handing out 15,000 lunch boxes this half term as part of its new FareShare packed lunch scheme where shoppers can donate pre-packed bags to the food bank. Morrisons will distribute the bags across food banks and schools, allowing families to collect these from the most convenient places.
Phillips Chippy, Little Hulton
Phillips Chippy in Little Hulton is offering one free kids meal per child Tuesday-Friday, with meals available to collect from 11.30am til 2pm. Phillips Chippy, 17 Manchester Rd W, Little Hulton, M38 9EG.
Minikin Paint and Pot Art Cafe, Sale
The Hatch at Minikin Art Cafe is offering free hot meals and packed lunches to children this half term. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and they even have a code phrase in place for confidentiality: “Marcus sent me”. In addition to the collection meals, those in need are also able to message the cafe and request delivery within the area. Minikin Paint and Pot Art Cafe, 57 Cross Street, Sale, M33 7HF.
Thyme Out Food Co, Didsbury
Thyme Out Food Co has created lunch bags for children in need, including sandwiches, a drink, popcorn/crisps, fruit and cereal bars. The bags are available on a grab and go basis and can be collected from their Didsbury venue. Thyme Out Food Co, 147 Nell Ln, West Didsbury, M20 2LG.
Tibetan Kitchen, Trafford
Tibetan Kitchen is offering free takeaway meals every Thursday from 4-8pm. Customers in need just need to pop in and ask for a ‘community meal’. Tibetan Kitchen, 245 Upper Chorlton Road, M16 0BN.
The Courtyard Cafe, Wythenshawe
The Courtyard Cafe in Wythenshawe will offer primary school children on the free school meals scheme a free kids meal all through half term, with hot food available between 10am and 3pm. There’s a set menu, and all you have to do is say you’ve come for a ‘school meal’ – no purchases necessary. The Courtyard Cafe, Wythenshawe Park, Wythenshawe Rd, Wythenshawe, M23 0AB.
Frankie’s, Denton
Frankie’s Sandwich Bar is making up sandwiches for kids in need this half term, with orders being taken the night before via their Facebook page. Simply drop them a message to request yours for collection from 9am the following day. Frankie’s, 71 Manchester Rd, Denton, M34 2AF.
McDonald’s, multiple locations
McDonald’s has pledged 1 million free school meals for British children, with funds being donated to FareShare – who’ll then be providing food to families in need.
Astoria Bar, Urmston
All children over the half term are entitled to a free meal from Astoria’s kids menu between 9am and 3pm every day. Bookings are required, which can be done directly with the restaurant. Astoria Bar, 32 Flixton Rd, Urmston, M41 5AA.