East Ayrshire Council has been getting involved in a global initiative to help break down the barrier hunger can create in distracting children from their education.

The Rapid Relief Team organisation, as part of its global work, has launched a scheme called ‘Smarrt Cookie’, which involves nutritional bars being provided to children who come to school without having had breakfast.

The bars contain a nutritional balance of energy, protein, carbohydrates, fats and fibre to help pupils reach their full potential in school. 

EAC’s Vibrant Communities team has been working in partnership with the Rapid Relief Team with the support of Councillor Graham Boyd. 

Cumnock Chronicle: EAC's 'Smarrt Cookie' work (Image: East Ayrshire Council)EAC's 'Smarrt Cookie' work (Image: East Ayrshire Council) (Image: East Ayrshire Council)

Emergency food boxes were made available over the festive period as part of the Council’s Caring, Kind, Connected approach to supporting communities through the Cost Of Living crisis.

The Rapid Relief Team offers various other supports across the world wherever there is a need for help with emergencies or disasters; youth support; homelessness or poverty. It provides hot meals and care kits as well as emergency food boxes and the Smarrt Cookie Initiative. 

Councillor Jim McMahon, EAC's spokesperson for housing, welfare and poverty, said: “It’s so important that our children and young people get a good nutritional start to the day, and in the current situation we’re living in, this unfortunately isn’t possible for many families.

"I’m delighted that two of our schools have come on board with the initiative so far and hope that it will be rolled out to many others.”