Families entitled to free school meals in Carmarthenshire will be able to collect food packs from Thursday, March 26.

The council has teamed up with Cross-Hands based Castell Howell and other suppliers to the schools catering service to provide food for children registered for free school meals.

The packs will contain breakfasts and lunches for five days.

They can be collected from all 12 secondary schools across the county between 9am and 12noon Monday to Friday:

• Ysgol Bro Dinefwr, Ffairfach

• Ysgol Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen

• Bryngwyn School, Llanelli

• Coedcae School, Llanelli

• Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, Ammanford

• Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, Whitland

• Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn, Newcastle Emlyn

• Glan-y-Môr School, Burry Port

• Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth, Cefneithin

• QE High School, Carmarthen

• St John Lloyd School, Llanelli

• Ysgol y Strade, Llanelli

As well as the following primary schools:

• Ysgol Y Castell, Kidwelly

• Ysgol Rhys Pritchard, Llandovery

• Ysgol Carreg Hirfaen

Free sanitary products will also be available at all of the collection points as part of the #PeriodPovertySirGâr project.

Executive Board Member for Education and Children’s Services Cllr Glynog Davies said: “It is vitally important that we continue to provide free school meals during this extremely difficult time.

“No child who would ordinarily receive a free school meal should go without while their school is closed or while they are having to self-isolate at home.

“We have more than 5,000 children registered for free school meals in Carmarthenshire and I want to reassure families that we will do all we can to help them.

“I am also pleased to see that period poverty packs will also be available, which is very important.

“We have tried to cover as many parts of the county as possible by using all secondary schools as collection points together with some primary schools. However, if there are some families that do have genuine difficulty in reaching these locations, please get in touch.

“We are also extremely grateful to Castell Howell and all our suppliers for their support in helping us to arrange this so quickly.”

The situation will be continually monitored and if there is a demand for further collection points this will be looked into. The opening times may also be extended if needed.

If you are unable to collect your food pack email direct@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01267 234567.