Thousands of food aid packs for city’s needy
robert.lloyd01@walesonline.co.uk
MORE than 2,000 emergency food parcels have been packaged up to help feed some of Cardiff’s most vulnerable people during the coronavirus pandemic.
And as these pictures show, staff and volunteers at Cardiff Council have been busy providing emergency food parcels to those struggling financially, or for those self-isolating with no family or support.
During these unprecedented times, workers have been mobilising to do their best to help those that most need it.
The council’s Adviceline has already taken more than 4,600 calls from people across the city looking for help and support during the Covid-19 crisis.
The food team has delivered 1,900 food parcels, while another 279 have been collected from city hubs.
Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “Our Adviceline is proving to be a real lifeline for people having difficulties during the emergency.
“This is a very worrying time for us all but help is available.
“Staff and volunteers on our Food Team are working tirelessly to pick, pack and deliver emergency parcels and we have helped hundreds of people already.
“The appreciation and positive feedback we’re getting is wonderful all credit to the teams who are doing their utmost to ensure people in need have what they need.
“We continue to be grateful to Cardiff Foodbank for their ongoing support to people across the city and the contributions they are making to our operations too.
“Thanks also to the various businesses and individuals who have donated either food or money. We’re all working together for Cardiff, to help our communities get through this crisis.”
Below is how people in Cardiff can get help from the council during the current pandemic.
■ The Adviceline is open six days a week to help people with a range of issues including accessing food and essential items, claiming benefits and income, Into Work advice, Universal Credit advice and help with debts.
■ If you are self-isolating and have no money or anyone to help you, call 029 2087 1071 or emailadvicehub@cardiff. gov.uk. Lines are open Monday to Wednesday & Friday from 9am to 6pm, Thursday 10am to 7pm, and Saturday 9am to 5.30pm.
■ If you are self-isolating and need help with shopping or food delivery, visit www.volunteercardiff.co.uk to find organisations or businesses in your local area to help you on the Together for Cardiff pages. Call the Adviceline if you don’t have access to the internet or can’t find any help near you.
■ If you have no money for food and essentials but are not self-isolating, call the Adviceline or pop along to one of four hubs for a voucher and parcel.
You will need to explain why you need a voucher.
The hubs are at – Central Library Hub; St Mellons Hub; Ely and Caerau Hub; Powerhouse, Llanedeyrn.
Once you have the parcel, you will be contacted for a full benefit and income check.
■ In addition, Cardiff Foodbank distribution centres are still open. Details of voucher providers are available at www.cardiff.foodbank.org.uk/gethelp/foodbank-vouchers and distribution centres are here: www.cardiff. foodbank.org.uk/locations
■ If you have a received a letter from the Chief Medical officer stating you should be “Shielding”, you will receive a telephone call from the Adviceline to see if you need any help. If you have not yet received a call and need help getting essentials because you have no-one to help you, please call 029 2023 4234.
Meanwhile, to help the city’s efforts, you can take the following action:
■ If you would like to donate to the Cardiff Food Appeal, please visitwww. cardiff.gov.uk/appeal – all of the money donated will be spent on food and essentials for people in need;
■ If you would like to support the work to help people in need across the city by volunteering, please visit www. volunteercardiff.gov.uk and click on the Together for Cardiff pages for more information and to register.