COCKENZIE and Port Seton Community Council and the local resilience group have been working with staff at the Port Seton Centre to make and distribute hundreds of meals to those in the community.

As well as providing food to children who would usually get free school meals, cooked meals are being delivered to other families in need.

A number of items have been donated by local businesses and members of the community, with meals being cooked by volunteers in the Port Seton Centre.

Bryan Hickman, Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council chair, said: “We’ve been delivering over 100 things a day to the community – it’s been a big effort in every part. Volunteers are making hot food in the community centre, others are picking it up and some are delivering it. It is all being done safely.”

Food items have been donated by a number of local businesses, including Seton Sands Holiday Park, which gave several snack items as well as cereal, fruit and drinks.

The Seaglass Inn also donated essentials, as did the local Co-op, including an extra supply of bread that had been delivered.

The Port Seton gala committee, who announced last month that this year’s event is postponed, also donated money that would have been spent on this year’s event.

The local community council, Parent Teacher Association and Chalmers Memorial Church also contributed.

Bryan added: “Most of those we have been delivering to have been nominated by other people.

“There’s about 30 or 40 families that receive free school meals in the area and around 80 OAPs, so it’s a lot of people.

“Those that we have delivered to so far have come across delighted.”

Donations are still welcome and will be “gratefully received”, as will those willing to offer their services as a volunteer.

A fundraising page has also been set up to help fund the effort; anyone wanting to donate can do so at gofundme.com/f/1yyer8vt5c

Daniel Baigrie, community development officer at Port Seton Centre, said: “In Port Seton, the local community council have been awarded funds from several local community groups to provide food for the elderly, those impacted by the crisis financially, and families supported by the Pennypit Trust.

“Social Bite have also provided lunches.

“With support from our volunteers, six days per week there are daily deliveries to 98 people, and 30 children are receiving weekly lunch bags and breakfast packs.

“Working from the Port Seton Centre collaboratively with the council’s connected communities staff, they are co-producing the daily food service which is a lifeline to people in the community.

“There have been a number of very generous food donations from local businesses.

“The community council are also managing phone calls for practical support.

“Port Seton Centre management committee and East Lothian Council’s connected communities service are committed to working collaboratively with partner agencies to support our community in this unsettling time.

“If you know someone who would benefit from support please contact us.”