Volunteers Elaine Padget, Bruce McLennan and Ivan Padget make sandwiches for students at Fernworth Primary School who may not otherwise get lunch.

Children who may otherwise go hungry are being fed by volunteers at Fernworth Primary School.

For several years there has been marmite sandwiches, fruit, milk, and sometimes raincoats and health supplies provided to children at the school.

Four volunteers, Ivan and Elaine Padget, Bruce McLennan and Lorraine Heke, have been coming in for two hours every morning to prepare sandwiches for the students.

John Hawkins/Stuff Elaine Padget, Bruce McLennan, Gypsie Aratura, 10, Grace Padget, 10, Darius Pekepo, 11, Ivan Padget and Layton Rangitoheriri, 10, with the sandwiches made for students at Fernworth Primary School who may not otherwise get lunch.

Acting principal Carla Werder said for some kids, the sandwich will be their main meal of the day.

The decile two school in Invercargill has about 290 students.

Elaine, who has been a volunteer making sandwiches for about eight years, said she got involved through having a grandchild at the school.

They made about 150 sandwiches a day and all students at the school were eligible, she said.

"They need something to keep them going through the day. If they come with no lunch they're not going to learn."

McLennan said after having a heart attack, he stood down from the job for a week, but his first comment to the medics who treated him was to make sure the school was prepared for making the sandwiches.

"It's good when there's two or three of you, but when there's one of you it takes on a whole new role."

Modest, he said it was "no big deal" to put the childrens lunch before his own health.

"You just carry on. Any day above ground is a good day."

KidsCan provides the bread, spreads and snacks to the school, as well as raincoats, shoes and health items. The aim is to get kids ready to learn.

KidsCan chief executive and founder Julie Chapman said there was an obvious need at the school.

The organisation had supported the school since 2008, as well as eight other Southland schools and 733 nationally.

"We notice a huge difference with children being more settled, concentrating in class, and less bullying and fighting.

"With no food or support they find it hard to concentrate, they're unhappy and lethargic, but as soon as you put the food on the table it stops."

The volunteers on the ground who put it all together were "amazing people", Chapman said.

"There's real community spirit, it's a really amazing project."