Kent County Council has announced vouchers for food are available during half-term for families whose children are eligible for benefits related free school meals, so that no Kent child goes hungry.

A dedicated helpline has been set up. Families who apply will receive one supermarket voucher of £15 per child.

Anyone eligible for free school meals who needs extra financial support to help feed their children can now visit www.kent.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals or call the dedicated helpline on 03000 41 24 24. Families have until next Monday 2nd November 5pm to apply.

Speaking after today’s announcement, Mr Gough said: “Kent County Council and our partners in district and borough councils have already helped thousands of Kent residents, including families with school-aged children, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the weekend, with the half-term holiday approaching, I reminded residents about the help the Kent Together helpline and webpage offer and urged anyone who was struggling to contact us. This dedicated helpline will streamline and speed up the process so we can get urgent help to those that need it. This support for families in need has always been in place. I hope, though, that this helpline will enable people who need urgent help to get it, and to get it quickly. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we support the most vulnerable within our community. I hope that this service will quickly provide families with the help they need and ensure that no child in Kent is left to go hungry.”