GroceryAid Schools Essentials Grant open for applications

The School Essentials Grant by GroceryAid has opened for applications. This grant aims to reduce the financial impact on low-income families working in the grocery industry when children go back to school in the autumn.

According to a recent survey by The Schoolwear Association, the average secondary school uniform costs over £100 per child. This is leaving many families struggling to cope, forcing them to cut back on food and other essential items to buy new uniform and equipment.

To help, GroceryAid has launched a School Essentials Grant to help families purchase the school necessities required for the start of the new school term. Parents employed in the grocery industry for at least six months can apply to receive £150 per school-aged child (maximum of three children for payment) if the applicant can evidence that they are in receipt of Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit and meet the eligibility criteria.

Applications for the grant will close on 30 September 2021 or sooner if the fund has been spent.

This grant is available to colleagues working in the grocery industry; this includes manufacturers, supermarkets, independents, wholesalers, distribution, sales and all support functions.

The take-up in grants last year was so popular that GroceryAid tripled the original fund amount to meet the demand. For 2021 it has doubled the fund amount again and hopes to help over 1,400 families in the grocery industry with these important costs.

“GroceryAid’s School Essentials Grant will help to alleviate some of the financial strain on low income families at the start of the new school year, particularly after the year everyone has had. On average families spend around £337 on secondary school uniform each year, with primary school parents paying as much as £315 a year per child,” said Mandi Leonard, GroceryAid welfare director.

To find out more visit: https://www.groceryaid.org.uk/get-help/school-essentials-grant/