Food vouchers to be sent out next week

Published Tuesday, 8th December 2020

Food vouchers will shortly be sent out to the families of around 8,000 children and young people in Hartlepool to ensure they don’t go hungry over the Christmas holidays.

Children who would normally receive Free School Meals will qualify for a £30 voucher, while those living in low-income families in receipt of Local Council Tax Support will receive a £15 voucher.

The vouchers are being funded through the Government’s £170 million Covid Winter Grant Scheme which aims to support local authorities across England in helping the hardest-hit families and individuals in their areas.

Hartlepool Borough Council officials say those who are eligible should receive their vouchers either via their school or in the post to their home later next week.

They are asking people not to contact them while they finalise the arrangements and say people should only get in touch if they haven’t received their vouchers by Thursday December 17th.

If they haven’t received them by that date, they should call (01429) 523469.

Penny Thompson, the Council’s Head of Service – The Children’s Hub and Partnerships, said: “Staff are extremely busy arranging for vouchers to be sent out and we would ask that people bear with us and don’t call us right now.

“However, if vouchers haven’t been received towards the end of next week then please get in touch on the above number.”

This year, the vouchers are replacing the Council’s Filling the Holiday Gap scheme through which local statutory, voluntary, community and charitable organisations have previously applied for grants to provide food to young people as part of their school holiday activity programmes.