The Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji says 330 students at 35 of the Sabha run institutions are being assisted because they need lunch as their parents are facing financial difficulties.
Sabha spokesperson Kamlesh Arya says individual school management, their staff and the parent community are assisting the schools.
He adds the Ministry of Education has informed them that about 550 parents of students in Sabha run schools across the country have been subjected to reduced working hours.
The spokesperson says they are unable to say now whether this will lead to an increase in the number of students requiring lunch at school or not.
He says for now they will only be able to assist students in their schools because they have limited funds.
Arya adds they have 5 students in their Bal Ashram who are boarding at the school.
He says these students come from families that are unable to take care of them.
They are spending about $4,000 annually to take care of each child.
He adds the Sabha has a Social Welfare Fund that assists families who need medical assistance or if their home has burnt down.
Families can apply for this assistance.
The Sabha runs 14 primary schools, 6 high schools, the University of Fiji and other training institutions.
