A charity offering free hot meals and advice saw a surge in demand over the summer months.
Taught by Muhammad’s (TBM) five support cafes in Dundee fed an average of 390 people per week during July and August.
During term time, schools supply free meals to those in Primary 1 to 3 and to all pupils whose parents are on a low income.
The support cafes usually see an average of 240 people per week but with youngsters off school, more families turned to the charity for help.
Rizwan Rafik, operations manager at TBM, said the demand showed how important the cafes are to locals in the five areas — Douglas, Charleston, Kirkton, Fintry and Stobswell.
He said: “We’re so pleased to have helped so many people throughout the summer at our weekly support cafes.
“Demand increases drastically outwith term time and we are there to help plug the gap.
“Over the summer months, we saw almost double the number of visitors that we usually see.
“Initiatives like these are vital to our community. The increase shows there is a demand for our support cafes. They have a positive impact on the community in so many ways.
“Not only do people get a hot meal, they also socialise and get advice on many issues.”
The Fintry and Kirkton cafes were added last year and a fifth was opened in Stobswell in January this year.
In total, 2340 were fed from July 1 to August 12.
This summer, they also featured activities for children to help keep youngsters active and entertained.
Arts and crafts and slime making were organised by Faith in Community Dundee.
Mr Rafik added: “This summer we had a range of activities as well as our usual three-course meals and professional advice.
“It was great to see children able to join in with these free sessions, which eases some of the pressure on parents.”
TBM is run by community outreach entity Yusuf Youth Initiative, which is currently raising cash to move to a new premises in the West End.
The group has made a purchase offer for NHS Tayside property Wedderburn House and await a decision by the organisation’s board on whether to accept.
If the move goes ahead, the organisation said it will be able to help thousands more people in the city.
