No child to go hungry - Council launches half term holiday scheme

Sutton Council is launching a food support package for those families in the borough that are most in need to ensure children don’t go hungry over the half term break.

The Sutton scheme will focus on supporting parents whose children (0-17 years old) currently have a social worker, are living in emergency housing or where the child’s family is currently eligible for short breaks. Parents can apply online for a voucher from the Council for each eligible child / pupil.

For low income families that are not eligible under this scheme, one of the Council's key partners, Community Action Sutton, will also provide food parcels from its Hill House base to those families most in need in the borough during half term. Families can also contact Sutton Food Bank in the event that they need further support.  

Councillor Marian James, Chair of the Council’s People Committee, said: 

“Following the Government announcement last week on free school meals, the Council worked swiftly on Friday to put a scheme in place to ensure vulnerable children do not go hungry this holiday.

“This food voucher scheme, and our ongoing partnership with Community Action Sutton to provide food parcels, will ensure Sutton’s most vulnerable school pupils do not go hungry during half term.

"The Council is under severe financial pressure as a result of increasing local need during the COVID pandemic, but we couldn’t stand by and leave our most vulnerable families without food and support.”

To find out more on the scheme, please visit here.