Councils to support low-income families with free school meals schemes over Christmas
Councils across the Black Country and Staffordshire will be funding free school meals to those families who are eligible during the Christmas holidays.
Sandwell, Wolverhampton and Dudley councils, as well as Staffordshire County Council, will all be offering support to children and parents over the two-week festive break.
Parents and carers in Sandwell will be contacted through their child's school and will receive vouchers towards the cost of food for the two-week break.
Councillor Wasim Ali, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for resources and core services, said: "We want to ensure no child goes hungry this Christmas and so by providing vouchers to eligible families we can at least help with the cost of a meal.
"We don't have endless funds but we have managed to find enough money to help families for the upcoming Christmas break.
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"I encourage all those families who are eligible to take up this offer and contact their child's school for details. I would like to thank all of our schools for their help and support in getting these vouchers to those families who need them."
Councillor Maria Crompton, Sandwell Council's deputy leader, said: "The pandemic has hit our families hard in Sandwell but we hope these vouchers will make things a little easier for those who are struggling this Christmas."
Sandwell Council has budgeted £525,000 to help around 17,500 children. Eligible families will receive a voucher for £15 per week, per child.
Dudley Council will also issue winter food grant vouchers through schools before the end of term. Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “To support families this Christmas we will be issuing winter food grant vouchers to all those who are income eligible for free school meals.
"We will be distributing the vouchers through schools before the end of term and we hope they offer some relief to families who are worried about struggling to feed their children during the school break.”
While the leader of Wolverhampton Council said it was "essential" those facing hardship over Christmas could put food on the table for children. Supermarket vouchers will be provided by the council to help those most in need.
The criteria to apply for the vouchers is for those eligible for benefits-related free school meals, those entitled to working tax credit with annual income less than £16,190, those receiving Universal Credit with take-home pay less than £1,233.33 a month, and those waiting for their first Universal Credit payment.
Councillor Ian Brookfield, the leader of Wolverhampton Council, said: "It is essential those facing hardship this Christmas are able to put food on the table for their children.
"The council is providing support, in the form of supermarket vouchers, through the Covid Winter Grant Scheme to help those most in need during the winter months."
While thousands of low-income families will be offered financial support over the Christmas holidays by Staffordshire County Council. Vouchers worth £15 a week will be distributed by the authority for the Christmas school holidays to the families of up to 27,000 children to use in supermarkets on food.
Councillor Mark Sutton, cabinet member for children and young people, added: "Through no fault of their own, a lot of families are finding it hard going at the moment and while Christmas is a time of celebration and togetherness, we know it can bring additional pressures.
“We want to help those in need ensure that children can get a decent daily meal and that other vulnerable groups are supported.”
All those eligible for the Christmas support should have been contacted by December 14. If not, those receiving free school meals should contact their school immediately, while all others should contact their local Family Hub.
Walsall Council was approached for comment.
