Church’s kindness

St Columba’s helps to feed 153 school children

Hundreds of under- privileged pupils are being served lunch Monday to Friday by bighearted Church of Scotland congregations in Ayrshire.

St Columba’s Church of Scotland in Ayr is feeding 153 children this summer after a local head teacher expressed fears that pupils would go hungry during the school holidays.

Dylan Harper, youth worker for St Columba’s, said the Lochside area of Ayr is among the 40 poorest areas of Scotland, even though the parish as a whole is one of the country’s wealthiest.

He said: “We had a conversation with a local head teacher about holiday hunger and we learned that during the school term 95 per cent of children at one primary school receive a free school breakfast and lunch.

“But during the summer that stops. So making sure those children get enough to eat presents a big financial challenge to their families over the summer.

“St Columba’s is one of the wealthiest congregations in the country, but the Lochside estate is one of the poorest areas in the country. So we decided to pull together a food programme and we are feeding 153 children this summer.

“They come between 12.45pm to 1.15pm and pick up a packed lunch every day from Monday to Friday.

“As a church we made the commitment that we are going to serve this community and we will do whatever it takes.”

Rev Dr Martin Johnstone, secretary of the Church of Scotland’s Church and Society Council welcomed the church’s actions.

He said: “Many children and families are reliant on free school meals during term time. But our children need to eat during the holidays as well and it is great to see congregations the length and breadth of Scotland providing this vital support. It is what churches at our best do.”

Dr Johnstone, who chaired the Food Poverty Group which reported to the Scottish Government in June 2016, said the report called for the Scottish Government to top up child benefit and look at ways to provide healthy meals during summer months.

He added: “Holiday hunger is a growing problem in Scotland with a number of charities, including Children in Scotland, Child Poverty Action Group, and the Poverty Alliance, calling for action. It is, therefore, particularly encouraging to see local churches – and others – stepping in to help. At the same time, we need to go further.”