Thousands of Black Country families apply for Christmas food vouchers
More than 12,000 supermarket vouchers will be handed out to children over Christmas after applications flooded in.
Councillor Ian Brookfield, leader of Wolverhampton council, welcomed the £1,061,922.62 received from the Government’s Winter Grant Scheme.
A total of £170 million is being handed out to local authorities across the country so councils can launched such schemes.
Wolverhampton Council is also planning to help its citizens pay fuel costs through the use of grants.
Councillor Brookfield said: “It is essential those facing hardship this Christmas are able to put food on the table for their children.
“Applications closed last week and 12,500 children are set to benefit from the vouchers.
“We are also developing plans to use the grant to help support households which are struggling with fuel costs and keeping warm this winter, to provide extra help for our food banks and assistance for young people who have left the care system.”
Councils in the Black Country and Staffordshire received £6,880.801.64 in total.
In Sandwell, the council has launched launched grants to help people buy food and pay for energy bills.
In Walsall, the council has worked with partner organisations to create kindness boxes to benefit vulnerable residents. This will see some 1,500 boxes of food, blankets, toiletries and children’s gifts handed out as well as helping families pay energy bills.
