Families across Bolton will have some extra help towards food costs this half term, as supermarket vouchers are issued for 15,000 children.
Ahead of next week’s break, families of school age children eligible for free school meals will receive £20 of vouchers per child via their school.
Children aged 0-to-5 who meet the eligibility criteria for free school meals will also be issued with £20 vouchers directly.
Eligible 16-to-19-year-olds will also receive the vouchers.
The programme will be funded by £300,000 from the new Household Support Fund, recently launched by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Anne Galloway, said:
“School holidays can be a challenging time for families struggling with the extra cost of food.
“Our local HAF programme has been set up to provide support during the Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays this year.
“This additional funding will also give families an extra helping hand this October half-term.”