The city of Bridgeport's Probate Court awarded 50 families with checks Monday to help them care for children that have been placed in their custody.

Judge Paul Ganim says the money goes toward families who took in children that couldn't properly be cared for by their biological parents. The money comes from the state, and the amounts ranged from $1,000 to $2,000, depending on how many children the families care for.

"We try to time it so that the times when the biggest pressure is on to get stuff, and try to alleviate some of that pressure,” Judge Ganim says.

Checks are given out twice a year, once around the holidays and once before school begins to help with supplies like books, textbooks, and uniforms.

Ganim says the goal is to make the holidays a little brighter for these families.