FOOD vouchers will be available to families in need during half term thanks to £250,000 of funding.

At a Somerset County Council (SCC) full council meeting on Wednesday, May 5, council leader Cllr David Fothergill announced funding for Somerset schools for vouchers over May half term.

SCC has agreed to allocate £250,000 to feed the14,509 children in Somerset who are eligible for free school meals.

It will also allow schools to help other families who they feel would also benefit from support.

Cllr Fothergill said: “We are determined to ensure no-one in Somerset goes hungry. This has undoubtedly been a difficult year for many families, and it is good that we can provide this funding to help at this time.

“Importantly, we have made sure that anyone who receives food support is made aware of the network of further support that is available to help them address other underlying issues, including financial advice and mental health support, housing advice and help with transport.”

SCC has been working to tackle holiday hunger during the pandemic, providing funding for food and vouchers over October half-term, Christmas, February half-term and the Easter holidays.

Further support has been provided for young people in Somerset who qualify for free school meals through the Holiday Activities and Food programme supported by the Department for Education.

SCC joined forces with the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) to deliver food and fun activities to more than 2,500 children during the recent Easter holidays.

Work is currently underway to expand the programme for the upcoming Summer holidays.