RESIDENTS concerned about being able to feed their children or access food this half term are being invited to contact BCP Council for a free food parcel.

Parents in receipt of universal credit and free school meal vouchers, as well as children with Education Health & Care Plans and families facing financial hardship can now call the Together We Can helpline on 0300 123 7052 to request a food parcel.

Parcels will be available to collect or delivered by volunteers to those families in need, and every effort will be made to cater for special dietary requirements.

Leader of BCP Council Cllr Drew Mellor said: “Local councils are the ones best placed to support families that find themselves struggling with food poverty in these difficult times.

“We’ve spent the last few days ensuring that our already established networks are stepped up, mobilising the extra colleagues we need to prepare the food parcels, co-ordinate distribution and staff our Together We Can helpline in readiness for additional calls.”

The contents of food parcels, in line with the School Food Standards Guidance, will include baking potatoes, baked beans, vegetables, fruit, bread, cheese and other food items.

Extra staff have been stood up over the weekend to take calls to the council’s Together We Can community support helpline.

Cllr Mellor added: “I am extremely proud of everybody’s efforts. We will do all we can to ensure that no child who needs food over the half term will go without and would invite any family in receipt of free school meals or universal credit to get in touch.

“We have food parcels ready to go and will be distributing these across the area throughout the week.”

Those wishing to help can sign up to volunteer or make food bank donations at their local library.

Information on the support available during the coronavirus crisis can be found at www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/togetherwecan.