Children entitled to free school meals will get a large box of food once a week instead of daily lunches in South Ayrshire. 

The council delivered its first round of about 2500 boxes to  families yesterday for parents to make their own lunches for kids. 

The service is vital during the coronavirus outbreak as the kids are missing out on meals with schools closed.

Each box contains contains, bread, milk, cereal, fresh fruit and ingredients to make soup among other food.

Parents must contact their school to get a delivery. 

Council employees from different departments have been making deliveries including community workers, janitors, employability, library and leisure staff.

Sports clubs Marr Rugby, Glenburn Miners and Whitletts Victoria have also been pitching in. 

The boxes were distributed from Girvan Primary, Carrick Academy, Braehead Primary, Dalmilling Primary, Prestwick Academy, Queen Margaret Academy and Marr College. 

A council spokesman said: “We are very proud of our employees who are really making a difference right now. 

"Our fantastic team of employee volunteers delivered around 2500 food boxes to children across South Ayrshire who are eligible for free school meals.

“These boxes contain a range of items which parents can use to make healthy lunches for a week for their child.”

He added: “The feedback from families has been fantastic with lots of colourful thank you cards displayed on windows and doors and smiling faces waving from the window.

“None of this would be possible without the sheer hard work of our catering staff who have been preparing over 2000 lunches a day. 

“South Ayrshire Council staff are proud of the work they do, and we could not be more proud of them at this time.”

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