The Manchester restaurants offering free meals for kids this half term

Marcus Rashford has captured the hearts of the nation with his campaign to provide hungry children, who would otherwise be going without food during the half term break, a hot and nutritious meal.

In the absence of a national scheme throughout the week-long break to support low-income families, Rashford’s campaign has been supported by Manchester City Council to ensure no child will go hungry.

However, in true Mancunian spirit, cafes and restaurants across the region have stepped in to help, regardless of the support from the council.

Pledging to ‘stand with Rashford, not the 321’, in reference to the 321 MPs who voted against a Labour motion calling for support to be given to the poorest children, restaurants, cafes and bars from Sale to Stockport and Salford have pledged their support.

Taking to social media, many local eateries have announced their support, offering parents an easy and discreet way to get in touch in order to reserve a meal for their child. 

https://twitter.com/SevenBroMLocks/status/1320677483386208256

Salford based Seven Brothers are one of the many establishments getting involved with the movement. Taking to Twitter, the local brewery shared the following message:

“We are deeply saddened by the recent announcements regarding free school meals. We have teamed up with @foursis4ers and are offering free takeaway packed lunches this half-term (Mon-Fri 10-12) for children who need them. Call 07950948162 to order yours.”

After offering free meals to anyone in need over the half-term break, Great Northern’s Almost Famous followed their tweet up with the following message:

“There are no strings attached, just come in and grab a kids burger and fries to take away. This will run from Mon 26th to Fri 30th of October…we are all in this together. WE GOT YOU.”

There are numerous places across the region who have been kind enough to get involved and give food to those who most need it.

Whether you’re a family in need, or know of a family who could do with some help, we’ve put together a list of places across the region to get in contact with.

📍Manchester

Pho

Almost Famous GN

(1/3) No child should go hungry, especially in the midst of a global pandemic. We want to do whatever we can to help our cities' most vulnerable families. We will be providing free meals to anyone in need over the half term. pic.twitter.com/dOcOWI8WRu

— Almost Famous GN (@AlmostFamousGN) October 23, 2020

Just come in and grab a kids burger and fries to take away. This will run from Mon 26th to Fri 30th of October.

GMCA/Co-op

Greater Manchester is joining @coopuk and @MarcusRashford to provide 1,000 food vouchers across the city-region to young people who may need access to a meal during half-term. The voucher provides free access to a meal deal offer in local Co-op stores.

Samsi

This Japanese restaurant is doing a kids eat free offer from Monday to Sunday this week, including a soft drink as well.

Khandoker, Didsbury

https://twitter.com/The_Khandoker/status/1319782785423474688

“We don’t want any child to go to bed hungry in Manchester,” they said. “Voting against free school meals for kids in poverty is inhumane. If there are any parents struggling to feed there kids don’t be ashamed. DM us we will always be happy to put together a hot meal.”

Thyme Out, Didsbury

Free kids packed lunch, 10am-2pm, Monday – Friday. Call and speak to staff or just pop in.

Powerbowlz Manchester

12-2pm Monday and Thursday from Powerbowlz, Pochin Street, M408EF. No judgement, no questions asked. No limit on amount of bags. Collect on behalf someone else (no proof required).

Solita

Giving away 100 free school meals, per day, per restaurant. No catch. Choose either a burger with fries or vegetarian burger with fries to take away.

Collections between 3pm-6pm Monday 26th to Friday 30th October. Please send a direct message on Facebook with your order and they will respond with a time for you to collect. All meals MUST be pre-ordered.

📍Trafford

Minikin Paint a Pot Art Cafe – Sale

Providing a free hot baked potato with beans, fruit, snack and drink to the children of any families that may be feeling the pinch this half term. 

Astoria Bar and Restaurant, Urmston

A free meal from the kids menu, 26th – 30th October. Call, DM or use the link in their bio to book a table.

📍Bury

Coffee Sack, Prestwich

Free kids meals are available in the cafe, or call 0161 773 2000 for a pack up meal with sandwich, drink, jelly, Pom Bears, some veg sticks and hummus for collection.

📍Bolton

Baker’s tea room, Egerton

Baker’s are offering free grab bags for all children entitled to free school meals during half term. Please call or message them and they’ll have their lunch ready to go from 12pm that day.

The Kitchen, Westhoughton

From Monday the 26th October to Friday the 30th of October, a packed lunch for every child in Westhoughton and beyond if needed. They will be available to collect from 12pm and no need to contact them, just turn up and it will be waiting.

📍Rochdale

Nutters restaurant

For those asking how to get involved !! End Child Food Poverty – Nutters Restaurant – aiming to do 1000 packed lunches a day @MarcusRashford #Rochdale https://t.co/NjqAl4cR3E

— ANDREW NUTTER (@nutsfood) October 24, 2020

Nutters Restaurant are giving out 500 pack lunches per day from The Empire, Packer Street, Rochdale between 11am-12pm each day this week.

With your help they are aiming to make this 1000 per day.

📍Salford

Seven Brothers

They have teamed up with @foursis4ers and are offering free takeaway packed lunches this half-term (Mon-Fri 10-12) for children who need them. Call 07950 948162 to order yours.

Three Peaks Pizza restaurant

Following on from Marcus Rashford’s amazing campaign to tackle child poverty, they’re happy to announce they are giving away free school meals to help the local community in Manchester. These will be available to collect from their branch between 12-2pm Monday to Friday.

Mr Chips, Swinton

From Wed Oct 28th through to Sat Nov 7th, Mr Chips Swinton will be supporting the Marcus Rashford Appeal to End Child Food Poverty and offering one free Kids Meal Box per child. All they ask is your child is accompanied by an adult and is only available on a collection only basis. (No online orders, one box per child).

They’re also providing St. Augustines Primary School with free school dinners in the second week.

📍Stockport

Ate Days A Week

As of Monday 26th October (half term) they are giving up to two free children’s meals with an adult meal.

📍Wigan

4 Ways Cafe and Sandwich Bar, Leigh

From Mon 26th to Fri 30th October, offering free school meals (packed lunch) to children who need them.

Packed lunch will come in a bag and will include: a ham, cheese, tuna, cheese spread or jam sandwich, carton of pop, yoghurt, fresh piece of fruit, crisps, and small chocolate bar.

You can either call the cafe on 260892 to order or just pop in.

Union Arms, Tyldesley

From Monday 26th October Union Arms will be offering a free child’s meal with every paying adult meal.

Any additional children will be half price also.

Mon to Fri only. 12pm – 7.45pm. Offer runs until Fri 6th November

They will also be making up a free packed lunch consisting of a sandwich, fruit and water for those who can’t come and eat out. They will deliver them to you personally or you can collect.