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Restaurants, cafes and even some local governments in England have mounted a grassroots effort inspired by soccer star Marcus Rashford to feed students during the upcoming school holidays.
Promises to provide free lunches began to come in after the Manchester United forward’s offer to extend meal vouchers during school holidays until Easter was rejected in the House of Commons.
Rashford, 22, vowed to continue his fight, and local businesses joined in offering everything from beans on toast to chicken nuggets and fruit.
Michel Euler / AP
Marcus Rashford scored the winning goal during Manchester United’s Champions League game against PSG.
Impressed by the news that local businesses are stepping up to cover the deficit of the voucher scheme during the October semester. Selflessness, kindness, togetherness, this is the England I know, ”Rashford wrote on Twitter Thursday night, adding an emoji of the English flag.
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On Friday, the England international released a series of Twitter posts marking the locations of companies offering their support and included his messages on social media, urging parents not to feel embarrassed about seeking help. Many offered to keep the applications confidential.
Khandoker, an Indian restaurant about five miles from Old Trafford, said parents can send a direct message on Twitter.
“We don’t want any child to go to bed hungry in Manchester. Voting against free school meals for children in poverty is inhumane. If there are parents who struggle to feed [their] children do not be ashamed. Send us an email that we will always be happy to prepare a hot meal, “wrote the restaurant.
In June, Rashford successfully lobbied the government of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to extend free school meals during the summer. But on Wednesday, a player-backed Labor Party motion to extend it again was largely rejected along party lines.
More than 1.4 million children benefit from free school meals, according to the Labor Party. English schools are on vacation next week.
Rashford said that many families are struggling due to job losses related to the coronavirus pandemic. Britain is among the worst affected European countries, with almost 44,000 confirmed deaths.
The soccer star said he is passionate about the subject because his family relied on free school meals and food banks while growing up in the Manchester area.
Farm Fresh UK in Nottingham said it will provide lunches during the break consisting of an ear of cheese or a vegan sausage roll and a box of apple or orange juice. Minikin Paint a Pot Art Cafe in Manchester said it will offer a hot baked potato with beans, fruit, snacks and drinks to children in need next week.
Local governments also pledged to support. Hammersmith and Fulham Council in London said they would extend the coupons during the break “to ensure that 5,000 primary and secondary school pupils do not go hungry.” It is also delivering 600 breakfasts to the children each morning.
Rashford released similar statements from the Liverpool, Doncaster and Southward councils.
