School meals: Council pledges support for West Sussex families in need

Children and families in urgent need of help accessing meals during the school half-term break are being reminded to seek help from West Sussex County Council.

It comes after MPs voted against proposals to extend the free school meals scheme to holidays, following a high-profile campaign led by the Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford.

Seven of West Sussex's eight Conservative MPs voted against the plans, with the other - East Worthing and Shoreham's Tim Loughton - not voting at all.

The authority is directing people in need to their Community Hub, set up in March to provide help to the county's vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic.

Since its launch, the Hub has received more than 54,000 inbound calls and online support request forms, made over 37,000 outbound calls and delivered 3,437 urgent food parcels across the county.

The authority has reiterated its commitment to ensuring children don't go hungry over the holidays and ensuring vulnerable people have support available for them during the Covid-19 crisis.

Paul Marshall, the leader of West Sussex County Council, said:

“We don’t want any child going hungry and in West Sussex we have had support in place since March to make sure this pandemic does not leave families unable to take care of their children.

"Not being able to put food on the table is something no parent should have to experience and therefore I don’t want anyone to suffer in silence.

“Our Community Hub is totally confidential and there to support anyone who needs it.

"I know there is a lot national debate about this issue at the moment, but I want to be really clear that this council’s priority is the children and families living in West Sussex.

"We have really well established systems in place to support those in need and I want to make sure everyone who needs support, knows how to access it."

Financial support is also being made available through the County Council's children and adult services department.

West Sussex County Council has received £737,319 in funding from DEFRA’S Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grant to support people struggling with food and essential supplies. This funding has been used by the Hub to get support quickly to those in need throughout the county.

£383,000 of that money has been spent directly on food or other essential supplies for vulnerable people.

In addition, £100,000 has been allocated to Citizens Advice and associated charities in West Sussex to operate the emergency utility scheme and refer eligible people needing assistance with food to the Community Hub.

A further £60,000 of the grant has been allocated via established Food Banks to provide food within communities. Discussions are ongoing with district and borough councils in West Sussex to provide further assistance to community-based organisations who are coming together to create local food partnerships.

The remaining £203,000 of the funding is allocated to supporting families and individuals in need as the pandemic continues. In addition, the County Council continues to work with our partners including the district and borough councils and the voluntary and community sector.

Cllr Marshall added:

"Communities have been outstanding during the pandemic and many people have supported neighbours, set up initiatives and looked after those who need it.

"As a County Council we are here to support all of our residents, particularly our most vulnerable.

"I welcome the Prime Minister’s comment that no child will go hungry this Christmas and await with interest the Government’s future plans on this issue."

The Community Hub will remain open throughout winter and the County Council is already looking at what capacity is needed over the Christmas holiday period.

West Sussex County Council has pledged it will continue to work with district and borough colleagues and a wide range of partners to assist those who might be experiencing financial hardship, including supporting the development of food partnerships and offering help via Citizens Advice for those struggling to pay utility or fuel costs.

The West Sussex county-wide Community Hub is available seven days a week and staff will be on hand to respond to enquiries between 8am-8pm.

You can find more information and request support online or by calling 033 022 27980.