Coronavirus: Support available for Shropshire families struggling this winter

Shropshire has been awarded more than £841,000 under the Government’s COVID Winter Grant scheme to ensure children and their families don’t go hungry this winter.

The scheme is set to provide support to vulnerable households and families with children particularly affected by the pandemic throughout the winter period.

A large portion of the money will go towards providing free school meals over the Christmas, February half term and the Easter holidays. This will be arranged via schools and nurseries.

The funding will also provide extra support to families – with or without children – up until 31 March 2021, if they are in hardship and struggling with their food and utility bills.

Families and individuals who are struggling and would like to access help and support can contact the council’s Welfare Support Team on 0345 678 9028.

Peter Nutting, Leader of Shropshire Council, said:-

“We know the devastating impact of this pandemic has been felt by families and individuals across Shropshire.

“Throughout these difficult and uncertain times, we have made it our absolute priority to support our most vulnerable residents.

“Our immediate focus is to provide food and other support to households over the festive period.

“This remains an incredibly difficult period for many people and with the festive season approaching, it is incredibly important that those households struggling know what support is available.”

Residents and businesses can keep updated on the council’s latest response to the coronavirus crisis at www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

This scheme is in addition to the wide range of support already provided through the council’s COVID-19 Helpline, which anyone needing help relating to the pandemic can call on 0345 678 9028.