Thousands of families across Stoke-on-Trent are set to be given supermarket vouchers for food during the Christmas school break.
It is part of the multi-million-pound package of funding and support worth £5.3 million that is being distributed to families and individuals by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
The city council are working in partnership with Wonde once again to issue supermarket vouchers to support families on free school meals and families where children have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Families are also eligible where their children attend or are eligible to attend a two-year old funded place, or are eligible to receive the Early Years Pupil Premium as part of a 3 or 4 year-old funded place. Each family will get a £30 voucher per child.
This follows on from the summer holidays where food vouchers were provided to over 18,000 children in the city.
The scheme is funded by the Department of Work and Pensions in order to help families access food and essential supplies. The vouchers can be redeemed at supermarkets such as; Aldi, Asda, B&M, Farmfoods, Iceland, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Waitrose and Tesco.
Vouchers will be issued directly via schools and nurseries to eligible children. Families are advised to contact their child’s school if they have not received a voucher by the start of the Christmas holiday. Any family in the city with a child who has an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) and who is educated at home or in a school outside the city may be entitled to a voucher. These families can apply online via www.stoke.gov.uk/foodvouchers.
Council leader Jane Ashworth said: “The school holidays can be expensive, particularly the Christmas holidays so I’m pleased to be able to provide food vouchers again to support families. Times are tough for people across the city so this will be much needed support for many.
“Schemes like the food vouchers and our Help is at Hand Campaign are offering vital early intervention and preventative support to children and families across the city.
“If your child attends school or nursery in the city, you don’t need to apply for a voucher – you’ll receive them direct from the school. If your child has an EHCP and doesn’t go to school in the city, or is educated at home, please apply online.”
Families across Stoke-on-Trent can also access support via the city council’s Help is at Hand initiative. The campaign offers support to residents across the city through the cost of living crisis and winter months, with the support of public services, community and voluntary sector groups. Resident can find more information at www.stoke.gov.uk/helpisathand.
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