Families entitled to free school meals are receiving £15 per child every week for food during lockdown in South Ayrshire.
The council is transferring the amount to parents to make up for poorer kids missing out on their school dinners away from the classroom.
The money will go straight into their back accounts.
SNP councillor William Grant, responsible for education, said: “Regarding the free school meal payment during lockdown, families are facing tremendous financial pressures due to Covid 19.
“Therefore, the entitlement of £15 is very important enabling children to be supported by funding access to nutritious food when not in the classroom, which of course helps their health and wellbeing.”
The payment was also made during the Christmas holidays.
A council spokesman said: “We are providing a weekly payment of £15 per child, to the parents or carers of children entitled to free school meals.”
During the previous lockdown, the council delivered about 3,000 large boxes of food every week to homes.
The boxes contained bread; milk; cereal; fresh fruit and vegetables and other items to make a week's worth of breakfasts and lunches for children.
Employee volunteers packed up the free school meal boxes at seven schools and the Scottish Government praised the council’s efforts.
Meanwhile, reports have emerged of meagre food parcels being sent to children in England this week.
A mother shared a photograph on social media showing a delivery of two carrots, two potatoes, a tin of baked bins, one tomato, a loaf of bread a couple other small items.
It was delivered by a contractor on behalf of schools and has been blasted as a a "scandal and a disgrace” by Prime Minister Boris Johnson amid widespread criticism from political opponents.
It was supposed to be £15 worth of food but the mum estimated she could have bought the grub for about £5.
The company which supplied the food, Chartwells, has apologised.
