School meals could be delivered direct to families in need, Argyll and Bute Council said today as it stressed that help is at hand for the most vulnerable people.
The most vulnerable people, who have been asked to stay at home for 12 weeks, are already receiving weekly food parcels if they have no support system in place.
Everyone on a Scottish Government database can access national weekly food packages and in addition the council is supplying fresh food deliveries of milk, eggs, and cheese, as well as sanitary products to supplement this where required.
The council is also providing food parcels to low income families through the Scottish Government’s Food Fund.
The authority set up ten hubs at schools last month to make free school meals available for pupils entitled to them.
But with one hub at Colgrain primary in Helensburgh to serve the whole of the town, plus the Rosneath Peninsula, Rhu, Shandon, Loch Lomondside, Arrochar and Cardross, there were concerns that some families were missing out.
A council spokesperson today said: “Families across the area are taking up the offer of these meals, but we want to do more.
“The council is therefore looking at different ways of making these meals available.
“Possible options include delivering school meals and food parcels directly to families; we launched a new food parcel pilot scheme in Dunoon last week, to make sure essential food items reach families.
“We will keep parents and carers up-to-date with school meal arrangements as they become available.”
the Caring for People Coronavirus Helpline, on 01546 605524 from 9am to 5pm on weekdays, is available for:
- Anyone entitled to free school meals who wants support
- People who are shielding for 12 weeks
- Residents who may ‘face significant challenges’ as a result of COVID-19 – for example, those who receive a flu jab for other health conditions, those who are pregnant, people with a disability, those who require support for mental health services or anyone over the age of 70.
The Caring for People team can then provide the right assistance based on the request, working with organisations and volunteers in the community.
There is also an online request for help form on the council’s website: https://argyllandbute.custhelp.com/app/VOL/Help_Request
Call 111 if your symptoms worsen or do not improve after seven days; for general health advice see www.nhsinform.scot
For more information on shielding visit https://www.gov.scot/publications/covid-shielding-contacts/
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