Families of nearly 19,000 children in Devon have been sent supermarket vouchers this February half-term thanks to one-off government funding, that we’ve used to continue our drive to combat holiday hunger the county.
The financial challenges faced by some families due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic can be intensified during the school holiday because of increased costs such as food and reduced incomes due to childcare.
Over the past year, we have invested over £4.7 million worth of government funding on providing nearly 140,000 supermarket vouchers for families who qualify for free school meals; so their children don’t go hungry over the school holidays.
Securing additional one-off funding means the scheme is able to operate again over the upcoming February half term break and Easter holiday, with vouchers worth £15 per child per week automatically sent to families of children currently receiving free school meals to help them buy food.
Hundreds of schools across the county have helped to distribute the vouchers – worth £240,000 – to the families of their pupils.
Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for communities, said:
“We are seeking ways to support people in Devon experiencing hardship and I’m pleased that we are able to continue to provide families in Devon on low-incomes with this support for the February half-term and Easter holidays.
“The government has provided short-term funding over the period of the pandemic, which has allowed us to support households eligible for free school meals to also receive food support over the holiday periods
“Applications for free school meals have risen dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic, and the latest figures show that more families in Devon are eligible for this support that ever before.
“It’s been a tough couple of years for some people, particularly financially with incomes changing suddenly as businesses struggle to recover. Household budgets are stretched, and many people are finding it especially difficult now as we move into colder winter months, particularly with the cost of food, energy, water and other essential items.
“These vouchers will help ease the strain of buying extra food over the upcoming school holiday to replace the free school meals their children receive during term time and help make sure they won’t go hungry.”
Around a further 2,500 children became eligible for free school meals over the last year, rising to a total of nearly 19,000 during the last term – nearly 17 per cent of all school children in Devon.
Families are urged to check their vouchers and redeem them as soon as possible before they expire and get in touch with Devon County Council’s free school meals team if you were expecting to receive a voucher but didn’t. Please email freeschoolmeals@devon.gov.uk or call 0345 155 1019.
If you didn’t previously qualify for free school meals but your income has recently reduced or stopped, please apply online through the Devon County Council website to check if you are eligible for this support as soon as possible.
The quickest and easiest way for your eligibility to be assessed is through the Devon County Council website and you will get an instant decision. Alternatively, contact Devon County Council’s education helpline on 0345 155 1019.