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McDonald's Offers 1 Million Free Meals As Marcus Rashford's Campaign Gains Momentum

McDonald's Offers 1 Million Free Meals As Marcus Rashford's Campaign Gains Momentum

The fast food giant will provide funding to charity FareShare as businesses nationwide unite

Simon Catling

Simon Catling

Fast food giants McDonald's has offered a whopping 1 million free meals to families this half-term - joining Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford's campaign for kids from struggling families to get fed over the half-term break.

Since the UK government rejected a motion brought forward by the Labour Party to feed school children during half-term and up to Easter 2021, restaurants up and down the country have stepped in to offer their help, despite many already being up against it in wake of customer capacity and opening time restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

McDonald's, however, are the biggest name to have announced their involvement so far and part of its commitment includes providing funding to food poverty charity FareShare - where England forward Rashford recently visited - to help re-distribute food to families who need it most.

Twitter/FareShare

The chain, which has already donated 400 tonnes of food and 100,000 litres of milk to FareShare and other similar organisations, will provide funding that will effectively help 1 million free meals reach those families that need it most during the forthcoming half-term break.

Marcus Rashford And His Mum Help Out At FareShare Food Bank Warehouse
Marcus Rashford And His Mum Help Out At FareShare Food Bank Warehouse

McDonald's announced the partnership in a tweet, writing: "We are proud to announce a partnership with @FareShareUK to provide 1 million meals for families in need.

"Our funding will enable the urgent redistribution of meals across the next couple of weeks to those in greatest need."

Meanwhile, CEO of McDonald's in the UK and Ireland, Paul Pomroy commented: "As a business we are committed to supporting and serving the communities in which we operate.

"In these challenging times, we know it's more important than ever to support those most in need."


Twitter

The company's choice of FareShare as a partner is notable given Rashford and his mum Melanie visited the charity's new food bank at New Smithfield Market in Manchester yesterday.

The 22 year-old announced that it would be called Melanie Maynard House. He has also been using Twitter in light of MPs rejection to highlight to his 3.5 million followers those small businesses nationwide, who have since come forward offering help to vulnerable children and families.

Twitter

FareShare, thanks in part to Rashford's endorsement, has already raised £20 million, but the addition of McDonald's as partners is a huge benefit to them.

Speaking of their intervention in the campaign, Lindsay Boswell, FareShare CEO said: "McDonald's is showing real leadership in supporting the most vulnerable in society to get access to healthy food at this critical time.

"The funding will enable the equivalent of 1 million meals to be redistributed to our charity network very swiftly, and we are very grateful for their urgent support."

Marcus Rashford was instrumental in the campaign for children to receive free school meals over the summer holidays - an feat that he was awarded an MBE for - but has since been disappointed by the government's stance not to commit to continue the scheme while many continue to struggle during the current pandemic.

Find out how to get involved here.

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Topics: UK News