Food banks
Food banks are a vital supporting mechanism in our fight against poverty and food insecurity in Dumfries and Galloway.
Food banks offer free food and support for those who are struggling and who have fallen into poverty. These supplies are either packaged up and passed on through food parcels, or in some cases the food is cooked into prepared ready meals which can be easily warmed up.
If you are in need, contact your local food bank who will be able to help you.
Food banks greatly appreciate any donations, so if you are in a position to do so, consider donating to your local food bank. Find your local food bank.
Food drive
To support our local foodbanks, we are inviting people across our region to take part in our food drive. If you can, consider donating an item or items of food to any one of our collection points below between Monday 7 October and Sunday 13 October 2024.
- Annan Customer Services - Town Hall, High Street, Annan DG12 6AQ
- Castle Douglas Customer Services, Market Hill, King Street, Castle Douglas DG7 1AE
- Dumfries Ice Bowl - King Street, Dumfries DG2 9AN
- Ewart Library, Dumfries - Catherine Street, Dumfries DG1 1JB
- Kirkcudbright Library - Daar Road Offices, Kirkcudbright DG6 4PJ
- Lockerbie Customer Services - Town Hall, High Street, Lockerbie, DG11 2ES
- Newton Stewart Customer Services - Church Street, Newton Stewart DG8 6ER
- Robert Burns Film Theatre - Mill Road, Dumfries DG2 7BE
- Sanquhar Customer Services - 100 High Street, Sanquhar DG4 6DZ
- Stranraer Customer Services - North Strand Street, Stranraer DG9 7LD
All items of food received at each of the collection points will be donated to a food bank in the local area.
Free school meals
Nursery and childcare
Children in early learning and childcare can get free lunches if they have a funded place. Your child can also get a free lunch in early learning and childcare if you get any of the benefits below.
- Universal Credit (if your monthly earned income is not more than £625)
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
- Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Primary school
All children in primary school from Primary 1 to Primary 5 can get free school meals. Children in other school years may also be able to get free school meals, but you will have to apply for them.
f your child is in Primary 6 or 7 you can get free school meals, if you get:
- Universal Credit (where your monthly earned income is not more than £625)
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
- Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Secondary school
If your child got free school meals in Primary 6 or 7, this will continue throughout secondary school if you get:
- Universal Credit (where your monthly earned income is not more than £625)
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
- Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Free school meals can lead to a large saving each year, parents of primary school children can potentially save £361 and parents of secondary school pupils can potentially save £370 each year.
Special dietary requirements
We try to provide meals to meet any special dietary requirements.
If your child has a food allergy or intolerance; medically prescribed diet; or diet for religious or cultural reasons, contact the school office in the first instance so that any necessary arrangements can be put in place.