Families in Aberdeen have been gripped by poverty as a result of the pandemic.
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak, there has been a significant rise in the number of families claiming free school meal vouchers.
In the first week of April, 198 families made an application for free school meals compared to just four applications over the same week in 2019.
It is just one aspect of the additional support being sought by vulnerable city residents amidst lockdown.
The rising number of people needing support is detailed in the latest update on Aberdeen City Council’s local delivery phasing plan.
It addresses the need to ensure the accessibility of financial inclusion services as plans are put in place to co-locate the services with the “hubs” opened for children in need of care and protection.
Over 1,000 families were offered a childcare place after the Education Service set up six emergency childcare centres in response to the pandemic.
Three of those aiding children in need of care and protection were separated from the other three delivering emergency childcare.
They have helped to provide food parcels and financial assistance to the local community.
Airyhall Community Council also donated £6,000 to help the centres support children and families.
There have also been changes in the funding made available to tackle challenges created by poverty.
Pupil equity funding (PEF) is allocated to schools to help close the poverty related attainment gap.
The report says guidance is “currently being updated to reflect the current operating environment” as schools will continue to “promote and raise awareness” of support across the city.
The total PEF given to Aberdeen City this year was £3,110,988, while the Aberdeenshire budget was £2,909,745.