VOLUNTEERS at Helensburgh and Lomond food bank say there is a "clear need to address the inequalities within the local community" as they prepare to trial a free holiday lunch box scheme for school children.

The pilot scheme offering lunchtime meals to children living in poverty is to be trialled during the upcoming Easter holidays.

Families of school age children who may miss out on their usual school dinner will be provided with a daily healthy lunchtime meal for both weeks of the break.

READ MORE: Helensburgh food bank trials free holiday meals scheme

Mary McGinley, chairman of the food bank said: “We were aware that some council areas had introduced free meals during the school holidays.

“While we are not in a position to offer hot meals we intend to provide the ingredients for a healthy lunch time meal to replace the school meal which some children will be missing out on.

“We experienced a significant increase in the number of children requiring support at the food bank during the summer school holidays in 2018, compared with the previous year, and there is clearly a need for us to try to address some of the inequalities that exist within our local community.

“If we find that there is a demand for this new service we plan to continue it next year.”

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The food bank recently received a grant from the Helensburgh and Lomond Health and Wellbeing Network to enable the provision.

Julie Ward, food bank committee member, said: “We are delighted to have a working partnership with the Helensburgh Youth Forum who run the GIVE programme.

“They have kindly offered their support for this project. Please look out for their volunteering group of 11-18-year-olds who will be collecting donations for the holiday lunch box on Tuesday, April 2.

“The volunteers will be based in Helensburgh Parish Church where the public can drop off donations. They will also be out in Colquhoun Square and visible round the town centre.

“We would like to thank the local community for their tremendous ongoing support.”

To register for a lunchbox, email helensburghholidaylunchbox@gmail.com by Wednesday, March 27 at the latest.

You should include the number of school age children you have wishing to receive a lunch and your child’s lunch box can be collected from Helensburgh Scout Hall, 15 John Street, G84 8BA between 1-3pm on Monday, April 1 and 8.

Each school age child will receive one lunch per day covering Monday to Friday.