A Tayside charity which provides meals to children to tackle holiday hunger says it’s busier than ever.
Dundee Bairns, which launched a decade ago, predicts its volunteers will deliver 25,000 food parcels over the summer.
The group has been running its school holiday project for eight years – and it’s been their busiest year yet so far.
“We thought this might just be a blip, the holiday hunger as it was known back then. It’s not now,” said the charity’s founder, David Dorward.
“What we’ve seen is the demand for this has increased across the period.
“I’m afraid to say it’s an upward trend and the cost of living crisis has a bearing on it.
“We’ve become almost a necessity.”
Dundee Bairns supports youngsters across the city.
This week drop-offs included Kingspark School in the west and Claypotts Castle Primary in the east – providing meals for summer clubs, some of which, are in the most deprived parts of Dundee.
Cath McBennett, family support worker at Claypotts Castle Primary, helps run the summer clubs, attended by around 120 children.
She said: “The kids are here for four hours. They have breakfast and lunch, which is funded by Dundee Bairns.
“They’re running about the whole time, so they’re hungry.
“We couldn’t do it without giving the kids food and drink. There are a lot of mouths to feed.”
She added: “When kids are away from school for that length of time, we’re all concerned about kids being active, out in fresh air, eating well and having a sense of routine.”
Volunteer Bob Lauder delivers the meals for Dundee Bairns.
He said: “In an ideal world there wouldn’t be a charity called Dundee Bairns, but there’s a need to support kids.
“You see kids enjoying themselves and tucking in. It certainly looks like they get the most of what they’re delivering to them.”
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