MORE THAN 140 families in Redditch have received HAF Winter Food and Care Bags to help them through the coming weeks.
The bags and their distribution was organised by Little Oaks Pre-School in partnership with Redditch Loves CIC (community interest company).
HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) is a scheme to ensure children who usually get free school meals do not go hungry outside of term time.
The food and care bags are free for families in receipt of benefits-related free school meals and were picked up from the Kingfisher Centre at the weekend.
They contain food, such as pasta, pasta sauce, beans, pesto, cereal, hot chocolate, biscuits, UHT milk and jam, along with items such as body wash, toilet rolls, washing up liquid, laundry detergent, toothpaste, toothbrushes, antibacterial spray, hand wash and a blanket.
The idea for the scheme came as many families get support in the lead up to Christmas and new year but there is often not much available post-festive season.
Jo Bussey from Little Oaks Pre-School and Redditch Loves CIC said: “We would like to say a big thank you to HAF Worcestershire, funded by the department of education, which made this possible and to our dream team who put it all together and helped us over a short period of time to support and help others.
“We have met some amazing people such as Matt from Poundstretcher, the Kingfisher shopping centre and more.
“And we have also given to our local foodbanks who are the true heroes of our town.”
Visit worcestershire.gov.uk/HAF for more on the scheme.
