BUSINESSES, charities and community groups in Stroud have stepped up to offer free meals for children who might struggle to eat during half term, after the government voted against a proposal to provide free school meals during the holiday.

In a true testament to Stroud’s community spirit dozens of local groups and businesses have offered their support.

Here is a list of some of the places that have offered to provide free meals to children this week:

Forest Green Rovers football club

Simpsons Fish & Chips - Stroud

Wynn's Coffee Co, Stonehouse

The Ship Inn - Framilode

The Weighbridge Inn

Hobbs House bakery (bread)

Lamb Inn, Eastcombe

Stroud social enterprise initiative The Long Table is supplying meals into community based ‘Freezers of Love’ located across Stroud District.

These are freshly cooked, frozen ready meals made using donated, surplus, local ingredients wherever possible.

Freezers of Love can be found at:-

The Long Table, Brimscombe Port GL5 2QQ (Mon-Fri)

Octagon, Paganhill GL54BX (10-1pm Mon to Fri)

Chalford Parish Centre GL6 8FJ (Mon-Fri)

Morley Hall, Stonehouse GL10 2DW (Friday afternoon).

The Edge Community Centre, Typhoon way, Brockworth, GL3 4DY (Mon-Fri)

The Hub, Minchinhampton Tobacconist Road. GL69JJ - Wed and Friday mornings

Cashes Green community centre, GL5 4NR, Monday 12.30 until 3, Wednesday 12.30 until 2.30, Thursday 11.30 -1.30, Friday 10-1,

Arkell Community Centre, Nailsworth - Friday 11am-1pm

These are far from the only organisations stepping up - dozens of cafes, restaurants, community groups and businesses have acted.

If you know of any businesses not on the list please, let us know so we can add them in!

Gloucestershire County Council is providing every child in Gloucestershire who is entitled to a free school meal with lunch vouchers. Ring for a food voucher code - 01452 328518.

Or collect a meal from community providers: GL11, Wotton Area Mutual Aid (WAMA), and All Pulling Together. Details via: bit.ly/3kx8k8E