‘Making all the difference’ as 2,000th parcel delivery is made

THE 2,000th emergency food parcel from Staffordshire County Council for vulnerable residents without any support network was delivered last week.

The county council has been buying bulk consignments of nonperishable staples and volunteers have repackaged them for delivery to homes across the county.

Recipients are those unable to leave home and who do not have anyone able to help them. Once they have received a parcel they are put in touch with a local charity or support group.

Alan White, deputy leader of Staffordshire County Council and cabinet member for health, care and wellbeing, said: “People are telling us that these deliveries are making all the difference.

“These deliveries have allowed them to stay at home, isolate and reduce the risk of them catching the infection.”

The parcels contain basic items such as tinned vegetables, meat, fish and fruit, baked beans, tea and coffee, rice, pasta, cereals, porridge and toilet rolls, as well as sugar, pasta and long-life milk.

The packing is being done by volunteers, including Staffordshire County Council staff transferred from other departments and catering teams from school meals provider Chartwells.

Although advice on staying at home has been amended in recent days for some people, those who are classed as vulnerable – including the over-70s, under-70s with underlying health conditions or respiratory conditions.

If someone is isolating and has no-one to turn to they can contact the council on 0300 111 8050.