HOSPITALITY businesses in Bolton have demonstrated their community spirit after being inspired by England footballer Marcus Rashford's call to extend free school meals during the half term.

On Wednesday, MPs voted against the Labour motion calling for free meals to be extended over school holidays until Easter 2021 by 322 votes to 261.

Rashford has been a key campaigner in asking for support for vulnerable children by supplying free school meals.

But companies across the borough, like the rest of the country, have taken a stance and offered to supply meals to youngsters to ensure no child will go hungry this half term, which takes place in Bolton this week.

Firms have taken to social media to explain how they are doing their bit.

Here are some of the Bolton businesses that are making kind-hearted gestures over the next week to feed children in the town:

Rosa Restaurant, Westhoughton

The Bolton News:

"We will once again be opening our horsebox, this time as a local food bank, offering free meals for children and essentials to help support families who are struggling over the school holidays.

"We will be offering this to families in and around Westhoughton, with dates & locations to follow. We need your help!

"If you would like to donate any food or drinks items, please do so by dropping them off at our horsebox/restaurant Monday - Sunday between 12pm - 10pm."

Chef & Brewer (owns Blundell Arms in Horwich)

"26th October - 30th October – With the half term beginning next week we know some families will be struggling, especially in these uncertain times.

"We will be making up FREE kids packed lunches to take out from Monday-Friday between 11am-12pm.

"These will be made fresh every morning.

"Please only pick one up if you really do need it so that we can try and make a real difference in our community. No need to explain anything to us, just pop in and ask for a kids lunch and we will just hand it over."

Bolton Whites Hotel, Horwich

The Bolton News:

"Bolton Wanderers, Bolton Whites Hotel and Bolton Wanderers Community Trust fully support Marcus Rashford.

"No child should go hungry. Bolton Whites Hotel will provide meals to any children who are entitled to free school meals in Bolton during half term. Call 01204 673610 for more information."

Breightmet United Football Club

"NO Child should go hungry in this day and age.

"In response to recent news, Breightmet United will be providing FREE packed lunches during half term to those families who are struggling without the school meals.

"We’ll be starting at Breightmet United Football Club from 12pm until 2pm starting Monday 26th October.

"The club address is Moss Park, BL2 6NX (Behind Metro Tyres) on Bury Road.

"More importantly, there will be no judgement, no questions, no need for embarrassment. We are here to stand beside our community.

"We are going to be making roughly 200 school dinners per day."

Cafe 105, Bolton

"I'd like to say to any parents in Bolton with primary school kids on half term next week that are going to struggle without the free school meal please, please bring your children to Cafe 105, Higher Bridge Street, Bolton and we will provide a free kids meal (packed lunch) to take away with you.

"Available Monday to Friday between 8am and 2pm please don't hesitate to pop in.

"This is available with complete discretion, you don't need to buy anything yourselves, just let us help you."

Baker's, Egerton

The Bolton News:

"We're behind Marcus Rashford no parent should ever struggle to feed their children.

"Baker's are offering free grab bags for all children entitled to free school meals during half term.

"Please call us or message us and we'll have their lunch ready to go from 12pm that day."

Appletrees Cafe, Tonge Moor

"People of Tonge Moor and local area...Tuesday to Friday next week and Tuesday to Friday the week after half term holidays children can pick up a free lunch bag from Appletree Cafe.

"Times to pick up will be from 12.30pm to 1.15pm."

Darley's and L.O Barbers, Over Hulton

The Bolton News:

"For all of half term at Darley's we will be offering free meals to any children under the age of 14 whose parents are struggling due to the pandemic.

"Similarly L.O Barbers will be offering free haircuts to any children who's parents are struggling due to the pandemic.

"We hope this helps the people of Over Hulton.

"Keep well everyone and thank you."

The Kitchen, Westhoughton

"As you know we have just arrived back from a little break and on our way back we received a message from our kitchen team insisting we do something about the vote against school meals.

"We listened and we heard them loud and clear, they want to provide 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 us just turn up and it will be waiting."

Unity Brook Inn, Kearsley

"Here at the Unity Brook we take pride in looking after our commUNITY so we are offering a free packed lunch to any child that should be having free school dinners at our local schools.

"If anyone needs any for their children this will be a sandwich cake crisps and a drink to collect from Monday to Friday through out this half term, please message to arrange a time this will be confidential.

"This commUNITY has helped us by standing by us through these bad times so this it’s the least we can do.

"Please make sure you message or call us to order so we can have it ready for you to collect 07498 930596 take care and stay safe."

Bengal Cottage Restaurant and Bar, Horwich

"We will be offering pack lunch meals to struggling family’s in Horwich and surrounding areas.

"We’re in this together. Let’s help each other as much as we can.

"We need your help! If you would like to donate any food or drinks items please do so by dropping them off at our restaurant.

"I also ask parents to personally message me on 07938107338 if they want the service we providing to stay discrete and confidential. I would humbly ask you to use our service if u need to."

Monte Carlo Cafe, Bolton

"To any parents in Bolton with primary school kids on half term next week, that may struggle without the free school meal, please do not hesitate to come to our cafe and pick up a free kids packed lunch to take away with you. No parent should struggle to feed their children!"

Lenny's Cafe, Little Lever

"In line with the Government this week refusing to fund free school meals during the half term, I have decided children will eat free at Lenny’s throughout the October half term.

"This will be to help out struggling families or those on low income."

Basic Kneads, Bolton

The Bolton News:

"Here in Bolton we don’t want children to go hungry and the Government have unfortunately voted against free school meals to children that really need them. "Come down to the restaurant, kids eat free during holidays.

"Free kids meal from our kids menu when you bring an adult. No purchases necessary served at school lunch time, 12pm-1pm #kidscount #ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY T&C's."

Flounders Fish and Chips, Blackrod

"If you are struggling next week (during half term) we are offering a free hot meal for kids up to the age of 15.

"This includes chips amd small sausage or chips and a side and will only be available at lunch time between 12pm and 1.30pm. (Monday to Friday) All we ask is that you could please message the page with your requests beforehand.

"There will be no questioning or judgement and will be completely confidential #endchildpoverty *only one free meal per child *please inbox your request in advance."

Bunbury's, Bolton (In conjunction with Homeless Aid UK)

"No child in the Bunbury's community will go hungry if we can help it.

"If the Government's vote has affected you and you are struggling to sort lunch for your children, please confidentially message Bunbury's or Sarah Leech or text 07393 926157 and we will provide you with a packed lunch Monday to Friday next week."

Reach Family Project, Bolton

"Thanks to people helping with funding, we are now supplying food for 250 people!

"Any new requests on the form will go onto our waiting list pending more funding."

The Goose and Gander Country Kitchen and Bar, Blackrod

"This half term at The Goose and Gander starting Monday 26th October to Friday 30th October, kids eat for free."

Salford Action Community Shop​

"This half term we will be providing free lunch packs.

"You don't need to be referred, our criteria as always is honesty.

"To register please call 0800 009 6605, text or Whatsapp 07593 593445, PM the page or email walkdenandlhaction@gmail.com."

TriniLime, Westhoughton

Nakeem, who runs the business, said: "As You All Know Today We Are Donating 30 FREE lunch bags to the community but we don't want to stop there!

"Helping the community is something I feel very passionate about and I want to try to make a change but I can't do it on my own!

"One day a week on a weekly basis I will prepare, cook and deliver hot food to struggling families and pensioners in the local community and surrounding areas and I want To atart as soon as possible.

"I am asking the community and businesses in the surrounded areas for donations

"It doesn't have to be money, it could be food or even spare time to help with deliveries!

"Please, if you can help, send me a message on 07999 606391. Much love from TriniLime."

Jon's Fish Bar, Horwich

Samantha-Jayne Brady said: "During half term, 26th to 30th October between the hours of 12pm and 1pm we'd like to offer a free child's lunch to any school child in need.

"All we ask is that you pre-order by sending me a private message before 11am with your meal choice (visit Samantha's Facebook profile for meal choices).

"Message me on Facebook or ring us from 10am on 07854 875274.

"No proof needed, you don’t need to buy a thing, and you definitely do not need to feel embarrassed.

"We’re all in this together, could be any of us at any time. We got you."

Happitots, Westhoughton

Owner Diane Barstow said: "I will be providing lunches for children in our community at 11.30am from Monday to Friday."

Diane urged people to pre-order meals the day before they want their meals.

To contact her to make a pre-order phone 01942 815702.

A1 Lettings Bolton

"Free lunches for anyone.

"All through the half term our team will be having packs of food for people with kids mainly.

"We will try and also contribute to our local heroes Homeless Aid. Billa and Sital and co.

"We will be handing out all week 10am till 12. Please inbox and we will put your name down this will make it easier for us.

"Anyone welcome to come and collect. No names or photos will be taken.

"Call 07805 654018 or 07809 289726."

Mecca Bingo

"Here at Mecca Bolton we don't want children to go hungry this half term, so we stand with Marcus Rashford to end child food poverty.

"We are offering a free packed lunch to children on free school meals during this half term.

"Call us on 01204524096 11am - 11.45am and we will prepare a packed lunch to be collected from 12pm during the half term holiday."

Bolton Council of Mosques (BCoM), Vicarage Street

"BCoM would like to offer a pack lunch for children who families are facing difficulties.

"If you would like a pack lunch for your child please come to BCoM between 12pm and 1pm every week day.

"Disclaimer: Proof of free school meals required.

"For further information please contact us on 01204 363680 (option 6)  or text on 07935 196976 to place your order. Email FYW@thebcom.org."

Morrisons Harwood

Free packed lunches or portions of chips will be served to children between 12pm and 2pm from Monday to Friday this week at the customer cafe.

House of Raya and Bolton Halwa Cafe, Fletcher Street

Meals are being served to children between 11am and 2pm from Monday to Friday this week.

To pre-order meals contact Sital Raja Arjan MBE on  07940 004449.  

Sital is also helping Homeless Aid UK, co-founded by Billa Ahmed, prepare 2,000 meals to deliver to children across Bolton this week.

The Flowhesian Foundation, All Souls, Astley Street, Bolton

"We are offering free hot meals for children in the Halliwell and Crompton area of Bolton during the half term.

"Kindly ring the numbers below and collect your meals between 2pm-3pm from our cinnamon cafe. All meals Halal.

"Contact Julie - 01204275106 10am-2pm.

"Contact Saiqa - 07771 415896 2pm-5pm

"For referrals to the service email admin@flowhesionfoundation.org.uk.

"Proof of free school meals to be provided." 

The Peppermill Cafe & Dessert Bar, Farnworth

"We are pleased to announce that the Peppermill Cafe will be doing FREE packed lunches for school aged children during half term.

"No child should go hungry." 

To let us know how your company is feeding children this half term and to be included in this article, please email james.mutch@nqnw.co.uk with the details.