BRANCHTON Community Centre's top team will be spreading free festive cheer throughout December by serving up tasty Christmas meals. 

Staff at the Greenock hub have launched Christmas meal appeal which aims to provide up to a hundred hot meals a day for three days a week in the run up to the holidays.

Centre bosses say they can provide delicious dishes for as little as £2 each and are asking the public to consider making a donation to help support the appeal. 

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They plan to cook up a soup and a main course or a main course and a dessert for anyone who wants it between 11.30am and 2.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from the start of December. 

(Image: George Munro)

Carol McEwan, development officer at the centre, said: "We decided to focus on food this year instead of our toy appeal.

"There are several different organisations running toy appeals so we think the kids are sorted and we thought we'd focus on food. It is a major priority.

"We already run free breakfast club Monday to Thursday from 8am until 10.30am.

"Our shop is busier and we have seen more people asking about foodbanks.

"I know people who use the breakfast club wouldn't eat for the rest of the day if it wasn't for our shop."

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Staff collect surplus supplies from supermarkets and use them to fill the centre's freezer, fridges and shelves with 'next day' groceries which they then hand over to service users free of charge. 

The meals left over are packaged up and handed out in Branchton's shop.

Carol said: "It also gives people a warm space.

"It's getting colder already and people are struggling to heat their homes

"There is a TV, board games and books.

"It's inclusive, other people will be here, and those who come along can have a chat.

"The decorations will be up and it will be nice and Chrismassy."

Cook Teresa O'Donnell, who works in the cafe, is looking forward to rustling up some 'nice, hearty dinners'

She said: "It's something that is really needed, parents are so busy at this time of year, they can sit down, relax and get some lunch.'

The centre is funding its appeal using cash from the  National Lottery Community Led Fund in conjunction with a GoFundMe appeal.

Those who wish to donate to the centre's fundraiser should visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/branchtons-ps2-meal-appeal.