Keeping children fed during the Christmas school holidays

Halton Borough Council has pledged to support struggling families this Christmas by providing free school meals vouchers or food hampers.

All children eligible for free school meals will receive a £30 voucher to buy food for the two week break, paid from the Government’s Covid Winter Grant Scheme to support vulnerable families and individuals between December and March 2021. The money will also be used to cover free school meals for the February half-term holiday.

The vouchers, which can be used in major local supermarkets, will be distributed by schools who will be contacting parents directly.

Any parents who would prefer to receive a food hamper instead of a voucher can contact the Council on 0151 907 8363 and this can be arranged.

The Council can also provide hampers to support vulnerable families whose children are not eligible for free school meals. These parents can call the above number where advisers will also be able to offer advice about other support that’s available.

Cllr Phil Harris, the Council’s portfolio holder for School Meals, says: ‘’No child should go hungry, and especially not at Christmas.’’