Three York restaurants are offering free meals for children this half-term holiday.
The owners of each of these businesses are selflessly doing their bit to help families, after the government voted down a scheme to extend free school meals to eligible children during the holidays.
This decision rejected a petition started by footballer Marcus Rashford calling for an end to child food poverty which has attracted 670K signatures.
We reported yesterday that City of York Council has pledged £43,000 of emergency funding to continue supporting 2,850 children and young people eligible for free school meals during the half-term week.
And these restaurateurs – despite the real challenges afflicting the hospitality industry brought about by York being put into Tier 2 coronavirus restrictions – want to do their bit too.
Well played all.
The restaurants
Barton’s Fish and Chips
The family run business on Boroughbridge Road posted this message on Facebook yesterday (Friday):
“As a family we have decided to do our bit to help out our community.
“Kids can eat free from our shop during the school holidays between 4pm and 6pm 23rd Oct – 31st Oct
“You can pick between:
- kids fish and chips
- sausage and chips
- fish cake and chips.
“We hope this helps anyone struggling especially at this hard time no child should go hungry.”
After the announcement, Barton’s added: “We’re overwhelmed by all the love and support we received yesterday after we announced our kids eat free offer!”
Solita
The recently rebranded Solita restaurant on Low Petergate is giving away 100 free school meals, per day.
The company said: “Choose either a burger with fries or vegetarian burger with fries to take away. Collections between 3pm-6pm next week, Monday 26th to Friday 30th October.
“Please send a direct message on Facebook with your order and we will respond with a time for you to collect. All meals MUST be pre-ordered. If you have not been given a time, please do turn up to collect so that we can continue to social distance at our restaurants.
“We are very grateful for the support we’ve received since reopening, especially in August. We now want to return that amazing support. This is completely self-funded so please only use if truly needed.
“We must also thank @warrendalewagyu and @brakes as their generosity, coupled with a donation from our CEO has allowed us to offer this.”
Estabulo Rodizio Bar & Grill
Even though the new Estabulo Rodizio Bar & Grill at Vangarde Shopping Park has had to close temporarily due to staff testing positive for Covid-19, the company is still going to serve up free meals in York.
The company is preparing meals offsite and will deliver them to the Vangarde Shopping Park Management Suite, on Vangarde Way, Monks Cross, York.
These will be available to collect between 4-5pm daily starting from Monday 26th October through to Monday 9th November.
The company said it would be preparing 100 meals a day for each of its sites, including York. “The healthy meals will consist of grilled chicken served with fresh vegetables and potatoes to provide our children with nutritious meals. They can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
“Any meals not used will be donated to local charities to ensure that those who need our help most receive it.
“Let’s all get through this together <3.”
House of the Trembling Madness
Rob Darbyshire, head chef of The House Of Trembling Madness on Lendal, contacted YorkMix to say: “I just wanted to confirm that the Lendal Trembling Madness will also be not be charging for children’s meals during half term.”
EborCibus Pizza
The restaurant, at the Corner Pin on Tanner Row, said: “Quick message for parents of York who may be struggling next week and have children on free school meals.
“If you’re going to need some help throughout half term, please drop us a message. We will be more than happy to provide a free New York slice of pizza, (we’ll be baking a ton of 20″ pizzas), fries and a soft drink for your child if you pop into the pizzeria.”
It’s open Thursday through Sunday, though Connor said he’d be there on Monday morning and part of Tuesday too.