UK doctors demand free meals for kids as COVID fuels hunger

A view of a lunch box at the Pudding Pantry which they will be providing free, during half term for any child in need, who would normally get a free school lunch, after MPs voted to reject a motion to provide food to those in need during the school holidays, in Nottingham, England, Friday, Oct. 23, 2020. Pediatricians are urging the British government to reverse course and provide free meals for poor children during school holidays as the COVID-19 pandemic pushes more families into poverty. (Tim Goode/PA via AP)

FILE - In this Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020 file photo, England's Marcus Rashford warms up ahead of their UEFA Nations League soccer match against Denmark at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Pediatricians are urging the British government to reverse course and provide free meals for poor children during school holidays as the COVID-19 pandemic pushes more families into poverty. The doctors say some 4 million children live in poverty, and one third rely on free school meals. They praised Manchester United soccer star Marcus Rashford for pressing the issue of child hunger. (Daniel Leal-Olivas/Pool via AP, file)

FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 23, 2020 file photo, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson turns to walk back inside as he finishes posing for photographs with members of the British military to mark the launch of the annual Royal British Legion Poppy appeal outside 10 Downing Street, in London. Pediatricians are urging the British government to reverse course and provide free meals for poor children during school holidays as the COVID-19 pandemic pushes more families into poverty. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)