Free food for Bracknell children available this half term

Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) announced last week that additional government funding has been made available to the council, meaning food vouchers will be given to eligible children this May half-term holiday.

The council detailed that £52,050 was issued by the government, meaning distribution throughout the borough equates to a £20 supermarket voucher per child.

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Cllr Paul Bettison OBE, Leader of Bracknell Forest Council, said: “The provision of free school meals has been an important consideration throughout the pandemic, as have the small grants we have provided through the COVID Winter Grant Scheme.

Pic: Bracknell Forest Council

"Even as we continue on the roadmap out of the coronavirus lockdown, and towards what is hopefully a much brighter future, we understand that the financial burden caused by the virus will remain for many people.

“We recognise the pressures families in Bracknell Forest are still under and are committed to continuing to provide them with essential support where needed.

"The council had already committed to funding school children in most need, so they do not go hungry during the May half term holidays.

"The announcement that there was to be an additional government grant has come as welcome news.

“I am proud of the support we have provided to vulnerable residents, and of the amazing teamwork required to accomplish this.

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"It has been a huge joint working effort between The Department for Work and Pensions, the multiple teams within the council, our schools, early years settings and health visitors who were essential in getting the funding and vouchers out to families."

For more information, visit bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news/2021/05/half-term-food-support-bracknell-forest-children.