Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford has taken over the internet in the past week with his campaign to offer free school meals in the half term.
Earlier this year the striker went viral with his campaign to make sure children could get food in the school holidays and coronavirus pandemic.
This month he was awarded an MBE, aged just 22, for his work to help disadvantaged children.
More recently he asked the government to extend the free school meals into the October half term but, in a move that led to public outrage, the government voted against the scheme.
Since then businesses across England have stepped up and offered to feed children for free in the coming week.
To make sure as many children as possible have access to food, and to shine a light on the generous businesses, Rashford has been sharing every one of them on Twitter.
Across Essex there has been an overwhelming response, with dozens of places offering free meals to children.
Here are 19 amazing places in Essex that are offering free meals for children in the half term:
1 – Tiny Town – Manningtree
Tiny Town are an independent beer company based in Manningtree.
When they heard about the need for free school meals they decided to create free packed lunches for children who are normally entitled to free school meals.
They will accommodate dietary requirements and say they will look into offering them over the Christmas holidays if the situation is the same.
Where?
Collection from The Red Lion Manningtree
or
The Marlborough Dedham
How to claim
Fill in a short questionnaire on their website here
2 – Thank Our Heroes – Colchester
Charitable events company, Thank Our Heroes have pledged 500 free meals for children this half term.
Donated by Black Jacket Group and supported by Colchester Food Bank, they will be providing families with fresh ingredients to make hot healthy lunches.
It will come with a recipe card to make children’s meals and claiming meals will be completely private.
Where?
Collected from The Flag Inn, Wivenhoe.
Delivery can be arranged for exceptional situations.
How to claim
Email heroes@thankourheroes.uk or message their Facebook page.
3 – Burgers Wings and Ribs – Colchester
On Tuesday to Friday, Children can get a free hot meal at Burgers Wings and Ribs in Colchester.
They can choose between Burger and Chips, Sausage and Chips or BBQ Wings & Chips.
In order to be able to do this, they have created a ‘pay it forward’ scheme.
Customers are asked to donate money to help buy food for those in need.
They have said that a donation of £10 helps feed 4 children and all donated money will be used to do a big shop for Colchester and Ipswich food banks.
Where?
Burgers Wings and Ribs, Grange Way, Colchester
How to claim
Children can order for free Tuesday 3pm-5pm, Wednesday – Friday 12pm-3pm
4 – Caffe Sala – Colchester
Colchester coffee shop Caffe Sala is offering free lunches to children all week.
No questions will be asked, and there does not need to be a paying adult with the child.
No purchase is needed and lunches are available between October 24 and November 1.
Where?
Caffe Sala, Colchester
How to claim
Children eat for free all half term in the cafe
5 – BREKKO – Colchester
Breakfast restaurant BREKKO is offering free meals for children this half term in Colchester.
Kids can get free eggs of toast by just turning up at the restaurant.
The meals will be available on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Where?
BREKKO, BelleVue Social Club, Colchester
How to claim
Just turn up
6 – Cowabunga Pizza – Mersea
During the half term, Cowabunga Pizza, in Mersea is offering free pizzas to children.
Between Wednesday and Sunday, kids can claim a free Margherita between 3-5pm.
No questions will be asked and no other purchase needs to be made.
Dairy free options can also be made at request.
Where?
Collection only from Cowabunga Pizza, Mersea.
How to claim
No qualifying conditions available to all children
7 – The Gilt Rooms – Mersea
The Gilt Rooms, in Mersea, is offering free hot meals for any child during the half term.
They say there will be no judgement, and that the meals are available to any child that wants one.
The meals will be available between 12-2.30pm Tuesday to Saturday.
Where?
The Gilt Rooms, Mersea
How to claim
Available to any child that walks in
8 – Raj Garden – White Notley
They have said they will offer a variety of food for anyone who needs it.
Orders can be made anonymously, with no ID needed.
Where?
Raj Garden, White Notley
How to claim
Call 01376332020, all orders are confidential
9 – The Crown – Chelmsford
No paying adult is needed, and no questions will be asked.
Sandwiches, jacket potatoes, mac and cheese, spag bowl and more will be available for children.
Where?
The Crown Pub, Chelmsford
How to claim
Contact Charlotte Hands on 07860341736
10 – The New London – Chelmsford
The New London, in Chelmsford is offering free hot meals between Tuesday and Friday.
Children in the Moulsham area are able to get a free meal to takeaway.
The pub promises to keep all orders confidential and there will not be any charges.
Where?
The New London, Chelmsford
How to claim
Call 07713654475
11 – Tea on the Green – Danbury
Children can get free breakfast or lunch at Tea on the Green in Danbury all half term, including the weekend.
They are open between 9.30am and 2pm for food.
The free meals will be offered as takeaways.
Where?
Tea on the Green, Danbury
How to claim
Phone 01245 226616 or turn up and ask for the Free School Meal Specials
12 – Monkey Bizzness – Hockley
Soft play centre Monkey Bizzness has said that they are donating 1000 free packed lunches this half term.
The lunches are available for any local children who need them.
The packed lunches will be distributed via local food banks.
All of them will contain a sandwich, crisps, raisins, a jelly, a chocolate bar and a juice drink.
Where?
Monkey Bizzness, Hockley
How to claim
Distributed at local food banks
13 – Peggy’s Cafe – Benfleet
Peggy’s Cafe in Benfleet are offering free meals throughout the half term.
Packed lunches are available for local children free of charge.
There are also offering a delivery service for children who live too far to collect, thanks to the generosity of locals.
All information is kept private.
Where?
Peggy’s Cafe, Benfleet
How to claim
Call 07398 394353 or message their social media pages
14 – Hardie Park – Stanford-le-Hope
Hardie park, a charity based in Stanford-le-Hope.
They are offering free meals across the half term for children.
Children can get Nuggets and Chips, Burger and Chips, Hot Dog and Chips or Fish Fingers and Chips.
All meals will also come with a piece of fruit.
Where?
Hardie Park, Stanford le Hope
How to claim
07935 868835
15 – Daily Bread Pop Up Cafe – Brentwood
Children can get a free hot meal at the Daily Bread Pop Up Cafe at St Peter’s Church in Brentwood on Tuesday and Friday.
Children will also be sent home with frozen and tinned food.
On every other day, bags of fresh fruit, veg, salad and bread are available to collect.
The pop up café is a charitable organisation.
Where?
St Peter’s Church in Brentwood
How to claim
Just turn up
16 – The Garden of India – Harlow
The Garden of India, in Harlow is offering free rice and curry to children over the half term holiday.
The meals are available Monday – Sunday between 4.30pm and 8.30pm.
Where?
The Garden of India, Harlow
How to claim
Just ask
17 – Saffron Fish Co – Saffron Walden
The Saffron Fish Co in Saffron Walden is offering free portions of fish to any families who need help with food over the school holidays.
They say that no judgement will be made and their service will be discreet and fuss free.
Where?
Saffron Fish Co – Saffron Walden
How to claim
Message on their Facebook page or saffronfishco@gmail.com
18 – Ramen + Chill – Westcliff
Ramen + Chill in Westcliff-on-Sea are offering free packed lunches for children during half term.
On Monday, Wednsday and Friday, children in the local area can get lunches containing sandwiches, fruit, goodies and soft drinks.
Collection and delivery are available, with parents able to collect packed lunches for two days.
Where?
Ramen + Chill, Westcliff-on-Sea
How to claim
Email chefhatter@ramenchill.co.uk or message their Facebook page.
19 – Coggeshall Catering Company
The Coggeshall Catering Company are offering packed lunches for free over the half term.
The lunch boxes will be available every day Monday to Friday and will contain food items donated by the company and other local businesses and organisations.
They will take note of any dietary requirements and do what they can to help everyone in need.
Where?
Coggeshall Catering Company, Coggeshall
How to claim
Contact them on 07940561016 or on Facebook