THERE was widespread anger after the rejection of a proposal to extend free school meals during the holidays until next Easter.
The bid, championed by England footballer Marcus Rashford, was defeated by 322 votes to 261 on Wednesday.
Following the result, the 22-year-old urged people and politicians to "put aside all the noise, the digs, the party politics" and "unite to protect our most vulnerable children".
And that is exactly what businesses across Sussex have done.
A vast number have already offered to provide free school meals during the October half term, which begins next week.
So, we asked readers, restaurants and more to reach out to us on social media so we could share which sites will be taking part in the free school meals movement.
These are the Sussex venues which have been singled out and shared on social media by Marcus Rashford:
1. Athena B, Station Road, Portslade
The Athena B is a family-run Fish and Chips Restaurant established in 1981.
It will be offering one meal per child each day, or up to three meals per household.
A statement from the restaurant read: "We believe in helping those in need, we would love to offer free kids' meals to anyone that pops in throughout all of next week, Monday-Thursday."
đź“ŤBrighton and Hove pic.twitter.com/aJadAnBLAM
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) October 23, 2020
2. Seaford Town FC, Bramber Lane, Seaford
The club said: "In support of Marcus Rashford we will be offering free lunches to children on free school meals over half term.
"Our clubhouse kitchen will be open from Monday to Friday, between 12pm and 2pm."
đź“ŤEast Sussex https://t.co/Y07XMF57sC
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) October 23, 2020
3. The Art House, Grove Road, Eastbourne
The venue said: "Things are tough for families at the moment and with half term next week we will be offering free children's packed lunches to be collected from the cafe.
"This is for people who are genuinely struggling to fee their children during the school holidays as no child should go hungry."
đź“ŤEastbourne pic.twitter.com/4TespvEvi1
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) October 23, 2020
4. Jordan's Cafe, Farm Road, Worthing
The cafe said: "As the government has voted against free school meals over half term, many shops are offering to step in and we thought we would do the same.
"If you call into the shop next week (between Monday and Thursday) we will give you a free kids meal."
đź“ŤWorthing pic.twitter.com/UhC7oQWIb0
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) October 23, 2020
5. No Bones, The Prince Albert Pub, Brook Street, Hastings
The vegan junk food company said: "When we started, we said we would stick to our morals and ethics and strive to make the world a better, and ultimately happier, place to live through our food and reach."
đź“ŤHastings pic.twitter.com/fo5nX0iOs0
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) October 23, 2020
Following the overwhelming support for this unofficial free school meals scheme, a map has been created to track venues which are providing this service.
Marcus Rashford said: "(I am) 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."
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