These are some of the Worthing restaurants offering free children's meals this half term

Worthing's is no different. Inspired by Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford's campaign to end child food poverty, dozens of restaurants and businesses have stuck their heads above the parapet and offered to step in where the Government has not, offering free meals to children over the half term.

One of Worthing's food banks, Worthing Food Foundation, has stepped up to coordinate the monumental effort in our town, headed by chairman Matthew Potter.

He said demand for support from food banks had risen 'exponentially' during the pandemic and, despite levelling off recently, he expected it to increase again once various Government support schemes run out.

"There are an awful lot of people now in dire financial straits who never, ever expected to be in this position," he said.

"There's a stigma around using food banks and we want to break that down. We find a lot of people who are not used to using food banks will leave things until the last minute and run out of food or supplies.

"But these are unusual, difficult times. We need to normalise getting a bit of help when needed."

The Worthing Food Foundation has been putting together weekly packages of food and essentials for people during the pandemic, based on referrals from outside sources or self-referrals.

Through the Facebook group Worthing Business Food Aid, Matthew is now bringing together the business response to providing food during half term.

The group is accepting donations and support, as well as advertising the hospitality businesses offering free meals. You can find more information on the Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/WorthingBusinessFoodAidThanks to the incredible generosity and efforts of Worthing's community, Matthew said there will probably be enough food available in Worthing to get families through half term. But with winter approaching and the furlough scheme set to end, things could get more difficult before they improve.

Here are the restaurants confirmed by Worthing Business Food Aid as offering free meals for children, although the exact conditions may vary:

- Muldoons, Broadwater Street West

- Pitch Restaurant, Warwick Street

- The Vegan Bakery Company, Ham Road

- Jordan’s Café, South Farm Road

- Bee Sweet Ice Cream Parlour, South Farm Road

- Worthing View Cafe Bar, Marine Parade

- Worthing Food Foundation, www.facebook.com/WorthingFoodFoundation - The Tudor Tavern, Sea Road, East Preston

- Shorely Scrumptious, Crescent Road

- CrabShack, Marine Parade

- Sompting Convenience Store, Sompting Road, Sompting

- Tea in the Square, The Square, Angmering

- Aunty Bunny's Hut, Montague Quarter

- The Orchard, Worthing

- Cactus Kitchen Gals, High Street

- The Durrington Café, The Boulevard

- Giuseppe's lite, Warwick Street

- Ian Hart Funeral Services in Broadwater has also donated £500 - enough for 500 children's meals over the half term.