Dorset families to receive free school meals over Easter
Dorset Council has been given funding to offer vouchers or a food package worth £30
Dorset Council have received Government funding to provide families in Dorset with free school meals during Easter.
Children currently on free school meals and families experiencing financial hardship because of the COVID pandemic will be eligible.
They will get supermarket vouchers to the value of £30 per child over the Easter school holiday period to help pay for groceries.
The Covid Winter Scheme Grant is giving Dorset £320,584 to fund the free meal vouchers for families.
Each voucher, provided through the child's school, can be redeemed at a participating supermarket of the parents' choice.
A food package worth £30 may be given instead.
Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Early Help, said:
"These are difficult times for everyone, but they are particularly challenging for the families who have seen a significant drop in income. Over the last year these food vouchers have taken some of the burden from our families and we're delighted we can continue this support during the Easter holidays."
The government has also provided funding as part of the Holiday Activities and Food programme, to offer free activities to children eligible for free school meals over the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays.
Dorset Council has worked with local providers to develop the Easter in Dorset Initiative, a collection of fun activities and meals for eligible children to access for free.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, places are limited for face-to-face activities; however, we have a vibrant collection of online activities that children can take part in from their homes.
As part of Easter in Dorset, we are producing 1500 holiday bundles containing home activities, resources and a cook box filled with ingredients and recipes for cooking tasty meals at home.
These boxes are being sent to some of the families hardest hit as a result of the most recent lockdown.
Cllr Andrew Parry, said:
"It's fantastic to be able to provide such a bright and fun initiative to our local children. We know that for many families the school holidays can be a particular pressure point, so we hope these activities will be something to be looking forward to."
The local authority are working with Public Health Dorset to make sure all our activities adhere to strict COVID-19 guidelines to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Families who are eligible for the schemes do not have to choose between the free school meal vouchers and Holiday Activities and Food programme, they will be able to access both at the same time.