MORE than 20 businesses around Oxfordshire have now said they are offering free meals to vulnerable children this half-term.

The movement comes after Tory MPs voted down footballer Marcus Rashford's bid to extend free school meals to disadvantaged children into school holidays.

The Buzz Cafe, Wantage, said: "The reason I’m doing this is because I feel that anyone could find themselves in a position of needing help but feel they can’t ask."

Read here: Oxfordshire MPs respond to free school meal vote

This is a list of some of the places offering free meals to vulnerable children around Oxfordshire. 

All the businesses have said all calls and emails will be held in the strictest confidence. 

  • Annie's at the Boathouse, Abingdon: From Monday, October 26, until Friday, October 30 the cafe will be giving away a free lunchbox to any school-aged child. Give the cafe a call to book your family in. See contact details for the cafe here. 
  • The Old Anchor, Abingdon: Offering free sandwiches 12pm-2.30pm this Thursday and Friday to those who need it.
  • Willows Shake Shop & Cafe, Abingdon: The cafe will be providing sausage rolls, soup, a melt or jacket spud. They need 20 minutes' notice to prepare the food. Alternatively, shakes or smoothies can be prepared straight away. They ask you to call 01235 797621 or message their Facebook beforehand.
  • The Barns Cafe, Abingdon: The cafe will be offering a takeaway order of a toastie or sandwich, cold drink and a packet of crisps. To order call 01235 534465. Opening hours are Tuesday - Friday 10.00-3.30pm
  • The White Horse, King's Sutton, Banbury: Offering a free meal to any child in need from Wednesday to Sunday. See more here. 
  • Bicester Bean Coffee Shop, Bicester: Offering takeaway hot meals 11am-12pm. They have asked you to call before if your child has any special dietary requirements. The number is 07891 777219.
  • Little Monkeys, Charlbury: This nursery is offering packed lunches for those children in need whether they attend the nursery or not. Email office@littlemonkeyscharlbury.net
  • White's Windmill Cafe, Chinnor: For anyone in need and who wishes to use the scheme, the cafe is offering table service and people are invited to book in advance. They are also offering a takeaway service if you don't want to eat in. A meal and dessert will be offered. Contact 07517 311096.
  • The Chippy Larder, Chipping Norton: The community larder will be distributing half-term holiday food boxes today as part of their Food Equality For All programme, at Chipping Norton Leisure Centre 3pm-5pm. You can reserve a box by emailing thechippylarder@gmail.com or simply turn up.
  • Churchill's Fish and Chips, Didcot: The chip shop will be providing children who would normally receive school meal vouchers from the ages of 4-16 free hot meals between 12pm-2pm Monday - Friday during half term
  • The Packhorse, Milton Hill: The pub will be offering free children’s pizza or pasta every day through the October Half Term.
  • Taste Tibet, Oxford: Is distributing 100 meals through Oxford Mutual Aid 
  • Deli-Licious, Oxford: The cafe will be providing free lunch bags to those children in need. 
  • Florence Park Community Centre, Oxford: Delivering a free weekly meal every Friday to any school child and family in need. Contact by emailing florenceparkcommunitycentre@gmail.com or ringing 07864028591.
  • Ark Centre, Oxford: The centre is offering a healthy meal that can re-heated at home and a delicious snack. Available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week to collect from Waste2Taste cafe. Call 07952498589 or contact their social media pages. 
  • Rumsey's Chocolaterie, Thame: Email kate@rumseys.co.uk and they will provide free packed lunches for those that need it.
  • The Cottage Bakery, Thame: Tuesday to Friday the bakery will be providing sandwiches for those in need. They ask people to contact them via Facebook and message them the day before you'd like your meal. 
  • Annie's at Thrupp: From Monday October 26 until Friday October 30 they will be giving away a free lunchbox to any school-aged child. All you need to do is call - contact details here. 
  • The Buzz Cafe, Wantage: Any child eligible for free school meals "within the community" can pick up a packed lunch or a hot meal to takeaway on Tuesday to Friday over this half term week. 
  • Marcopolo Bakery, Wantage: The cafe will be offering £1 kids' meals every day this week. They also have 80 free kids' meals available for those who need it most.
  • Ue Coffee Roasters Ltd, Witney: The coffee company has said if you are concerned a child will go hungry over the school half term, then please feel free to contact them at coffee@uecoffeeroasters.com. They will provide lunches free of charge for children in and around the community for the duration of the school holidays. 
  • Eastern Cuisine, Witney: Monday to Sunday this week, between 4.30pm and 9pm you can pick up a meal for your child, contact details here. 
  • Huffkins Renowned Bakery and Tearoom, Witney: Providing free lunch to any child in need. Collections are available by prior arrangement. Email charles@hufkins.com if you are a parent, guardian, or a child in need. 
  • Bakers Butchers, Witney: Any parents that need help feeding their child over half term can call 01993704822, ask for Billy and John. 
  • Wates & Co Delicatessen, Witney: They have put together healthy fruit snack boxes for next week for any local family whose children need support. Contact via Facebook or on 01993778680. They have also partnered with The Plough Witney to provide breakfast items alongside the fruit boxes. 
  • The Rowing Machine, Witney: Every day this week will be offering "five hot kids' meals and a drink completely free of charge, to someone in need". Drop them a Facebook message to arrange a collection time that suits. 

Read more here: Labour leaders say Government has 'failed' children over free school meals 

Do you know somewhere in Oxfordshire offering free school meals? Get in touch: eirian.prosser@newsquest.co.uk