Published on:
15
June 2020
Clackmannanshire Council’s Emergency Decision Making Forum (EDMF) has agreed to extend its free school meal provision during the summer holidays to ensure vulnerable children do not go hungry.
Families who are eligible for free school meals and receive clothing and footwear grants currently receive £23 per fortnight for each child which is paid in to their bank account. The move was in response to the closure of schools due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Following a meeting of the EDMF today (Monday 15 June), it was agreed that this payment would continue throughout the summer holiday period with the last payment on 30 July – with pupils returning to schools from 12 August.
In addition, the EMDF also agreed to provide 600 “grab food bags” a day during weekdays to support local communities. The “grab bags” will be delivered to local distribution points throughout Clackmannanshire.
Clackmannanshire Council Leader Ellen Forson said:
“Now more than ever, it is important that we support the most vulnerable members of our community. We want to ensure that no child goes hungry during the summer break.
“By continuing to ensure that those children who are eligible for free school meals receive the support required during the summer holidays, we are working to alleviate concerns over poverty due to COVID-19.
“In addition, by supplementing the payments with additional “grab food bags”, it means that those who potentially just miss out on entitlement can access provision in their local community.”
For more information about support available during the summer holiday period please keep checking the education pages of our website.