McDonald’s backs Rashford with 1m meal pledge

McDonald’s has joined Marcus Rashford’s campaign and is offering a million free meals for UK families over the October half term, the company announced on Friday.

The fast-food giant is donating the food as part of a campaign by the Manchester United and England striker to end child food poverty in the UK.

McDonald’s will give funding to food charity FareShare to give foods to the households “in greatest need,” which will also be used for the transport and logistics.

Rashford’s campaign, backed by a Labour motion to provide 1.4 million disadvantaged children in England with £15 a week in food vouchers during holidays until Easter 2021, was voted down in the House of Commons last week.

But reaction to the defeat has led to an outpouring of donations, despite restaurants suffering their own financial hardships.

McDonald’s is by far the biggest name to make a pledge, with most donations coming from independent, single-site operators, as well as local councils and catering companies.

Big Smoke Brew Co, the Surrey based pub operator and craft brewer, has also joined the campaign.

Rashford wrote on Twitter: “Blown away by news of local businesses stepping up to fill the voucher scheme deficit during the October half term. Selflessness, kindness, togetherness, this is the England I know. Add #ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY to your tweets so I can track them. I will share as many as I can.”