The move comes as schools have been closed as part of measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 across the UK.
Once a school has joined the scheme the vouchers will be sent out by email directly to the eligible families by Edenred, the Department for Education's supplier.
The vouchers are being sent out as dozens of child poverty charities are set to close with six months if they are unable to replace funds lost due to pandemic.The Childhood Trust said 40% of 65 London charities it surveyed will struggle to keep their doors open to vulnerable children without another source of income.
Of the 65 charities, which support around 184,000 children and young people, 90% said they are certain children will go hungry during the COVID-19 outbreak.This is due to a loss of free school meals, shortage of staple goods amid stockpiling, and loss of family earnings. And two-thirds said they feel unprepared for an influx in young people needing support during the crisis.
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