CARING cafe owners in Greenock are stepping in to make sure no kids go hungry during lockdown.

Janine Brennan and her sister Yvonne Malloy, of The Cottage Cafe Bistro at Ladyburn Business Park in Greenock, were inspired by a national campaign as they signed up to the Takeaway Alliance.

The sisters, both from Greenock, took over the business almost two years ago and have joined a scheme which provides free takeaway food for children.

Janine said: "Everyone knows Greenock is an impoverished area and we have been given help from the council to allow us to stay open.

"So we wanted to do something to give back to the community."

The service is for children only - and all they have to do is to go into the premises and use a 'password' in exchange for free food.

The system uses a simple code to avoid any stigma, no questions are asked and a kids takeaway meal will be handed over free.

Janine says taking part in the initiative is a way of giving back to the community.

She said: "We will have been here for two years in May - we started with six staff and we have doubled the number of staff in that time.

"Among our staff we have a mix of people, some who have been working here for over 10 years, four students, two wage subsidy staff and a couple of people who were unemployed."

Due to the current public health restrictions the cafe is currently operating as a takeaway and delivery service, offering a range of food from breakfasts and main meals to sandwiches, baked potatoes and afternoon teas.

Janine said: "We delivered around 500 afternoon teas during the first lockdown and have done a lot of baking - it's all about changing and adapting to the current situation.

"The Takeaway Alliance campaign is open to children of school age and all they need to say is 'is my auntie Trisha in'? and they will receive a box we have made up.

"It contains a sandwich, crisps and a drink."

The scheme started in North Lanarkshire and has grown since then, spreading to England.

She said: "We were the 43rd cafe to join - it is still evolving.

"There's not necessarily typical type of kids that are affected, it could be middle class kids.

"People have lost their jobs, or the self-employed.

"It's great for us as a business to be able to give something back."

Joint-owner Yvonne is equally passionate about the scheme.

She said: "I think it's a great idea.

"There are kids in Inverclyde, Glasgow and further afield who don't know when their last meal was.

"By doing this we can give something back to the community."

Any businesses who wants to join the scheme can visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/866159637471833