More than 2,000 food parcels were given out to families across Wolverhampton over the October half-term to ensure that local children didn’t go hungry during the holidays.
The City of Wolverhampton Council worked to provide food parcels to 2,082 youngsters from low-income households who are currently eligible for means-tested free school meals. The scheme was funded through the Government’s Household Support Fund, designed to ensure vulnerable households do not go hungry or without essential items by providing help to those that need it the most.
Each parcel contained enough items to provide at least five lunches per child with essentials like fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, dried pasta, tinned goods, milk and cereal included, as well as a selection of snacks and treats.
More than half of the food parcels were prepared by local food banks and the Big Venture Centre which also acted as collection points, along with four Strengthening Families Hubs across the city, enabling those most in need to access the food easily.
“We know that school holidays mean that some children may miss out on meals which are normally provided in school, and families may struggle to put food on the table. Those most in need were given easy access to essential and nutritious food items, ensuring that children and families didn’t go hungry.”
Lisa Raghunanan, the council’s Strengthening Families Partnership Manager, added: “The food offer over half-term proved to be a huge help to our families most in need. Staff worked hard to ensure that these essentials were both available and distributed during the holidays, which is when things can be really hard for some families in our city.”