Bath & North East Somerset Council has announced that families in the region who receive benefit-related free school meals will continue to receive support into 2024.
Families will be helped with food costs during school holidays until the end of Easter next year, thanks to recent Government funding.
Parents and carers will receive emails offering supermarket vouchers worth £15 per child to assist with food expenses during the upcoming half-term holiday.
Families who received a voucher during the Easter holiday will automatically receive the email and do not need to reapply.
Upon receiving the initial email, families must respond within 48 hours to confirm their interest in receiving the supermarket vouchers.
A second email will then be sent, containing the necessary links to access the vouchers. It is important that the vouchers are converted within two months of receiving the initial email.
If anyone has not received an email from the council, they are encouraged to email [email protected] or call 01225 477277 (option 1).
It is advised to check junk or spam folders before contacting the council.
Councillor Paul May, spokesperson for Children and Young People, Bath & North East Somerset Council Liberal Democrat Administration, said: “It’s only right that this funding is used to help children who are most in need.
“Many families with children in receipt of free school meals struggle with extra food costs in school holidays, so these vouchers will give them peace of mind and make family budgets a little easier.
“It’s also worth bearing in mind that anyone in emergency need can access other types of local food support via our Welfare Support Team and the Community Wellbeing Hub.”
Families who qualify for benefit-related free school meals but have not previously claimed a voucher can make a claim through the council’s free school meals vouchers web portal.
For those in need of further support, a list of foodbanks, food pantries, community cafes, and community fridges, along with their opening times and days, can be found on the Bath and North East Somerset Food finder website.
