While many families are enjoying the half-term holiday, it can be a much more challenging time for cash-strapped households who rely on free school meals to keep their children fed.
Worcester Foodbank will be working hard to support these families but a wave of businesses and other groups have also stepped up to the plate having been inspired by the campaigning of England footballer Marcus Rashford.
Below is a list of organisations in Worcester offering to help feed children during the break who would normally receive a free school meal.
Please note that eligibility for support is at the discretion of each of the individual businesses that are listed.
You can also keep track of those offering support across Worcestershire on the CJM Business Support blog here
Worcestershire Homeless Appeal:
Offering packed lunches during half-term holiday.
Check out their Facebook page
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07546 553835
Wayland’s Yard
Offering packed lunches from Wednesday to Sunday during half term for collection between 9am and 12pm.
Email [email protected] to arrange.
Wayland’s Yard, Foregate Street, Worcester WR1 1DB
Ma Baker:
Offering a filled roll or a hot pastry.
Due to overwhelming support, Ma Baker will be able to offer bacon rolls from Monday the 26th of October.
Website: http://mabaker.net/
Tel: 01905 45117
12 Cranham Drive, Worcester, WR4 9PA
Like U:
Working with three local businesses to provide helpboxes.
They will be available for collection from:
Ma Baker, 12 Cranham Drive, Worcester, WR4 9PA
Groszek Market, 38 Lowesmoor, Worcester, WR1 2SG
Worcester Steak and Grill House, 12 Corn Market, Worcester, WR1 2DF.
Like U volunteers can also deliver if you are unable to collect.
Website: https://likeu.org.uk/
Email: [email protected]
Vesta Tilley House, Lowesmoor, Worcester, WR1 2RS
Rainbow Hill Chippy:
Offering every child under 12 years of age a free meal. Available between 3pm-4pm. They can choose from plain sausage and chips, battered sausage and chips, fishcake and chips, nuggets and chips, chips.
Quote: RHCSCHOOLMEAL when ordering.
Website: https://rainbowhillchippy.weebly.com/
24 Astwood Road, Worcester, WR3 8ET
Molly Simons:
Molly and Jazmine work at Tesco in Warndon and are preparing free packed lunches in the Tesco kitchen. Lunches will be available on Wednesday 28th October only and they will be taking pre-orders from now until Tuesday evening. Please call the number below, message Molly on Facebook or text how many lunches you need, what you would like from the list and if you would prefer to collect or have it delivered. Molly or Jazmine will then confirm. This is for the Worcester area only. Please notify them of any allergies.
The lunches include: * Either a ham/ cheese/ tuna sandwich * A packet of crisps (ready salted/ salt and vinegar or cheese and onion) * A banana/ orange/ apple * A fruit yoghurt * Small treat * Fruit shoot or water bottle.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/molly.simons1
Tel: 07725 442593
The Orchard Café:
The café at the Countryside centre is offering a free bowl of pasta to any child who is going to struggle to eat over half term.
Just go to the take away order point and ask for the half-term special.
Website: http://www.theorchardcafe.co.uk/
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01905 766492
M&S Cafe:
Kids eat free with any single food item purchased over £3. Terms and Conditions apply. See M&S website for more details.
Website: https://www.marksandspencer.com
Worcester: 39 High Street, Worcester, WR1 2QN. Tel: 01905 723603
The Alma Tavern:
Children eat free with every adult meal ordered. Deal is available all day every day. With every adult meal sold 50p goes to the foodbank. Offer available from Monday 26th October to Sunday 8th November.
Website: https://www.almatavernworcester.co.uk/
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07543 676434
74 Droitwich Road, Worcester, WR3 7HT
Coffee Warehouse:
Children eat free this half term with purchase of any adult meal.
Website: https://coffeewarehouse.co/
Tel: 01905 21777
12 Foregate Street, Worcester, WR1 3QD