Posted on 7th Apr
WORK to distribute food and other essentials to Newark and Sherwood residents isolated by the coronavirus pandemic is under way.
Newark and Sherwood District Council has joined forces with a number of partners, including Morrisons, the British Red Cross, Ikea, Newark Town Council and local shops and market traders to ensure supplies reach those in need.
Nationally, Morrisons is providing £10m-worth of food to local authorities to distribute to food banks and community kitchens with the chain’s Newark town centre store providing food locally.
This food is being distributed to Newark Food Bank, the Salvation Army and Carriages Café, located at Newark Castle station, which is running a community kitchen to provide meals to residents in need every Wednesday.
Non-perishable food supplies are being delivered, stored and packed into emergency food parcels at the District Council-run Palace Theatre, Newark on Appletongate, which has temporarily been closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
These food parcels are to be distributed to those who are most in need – these are families and individuals who have identified themselves as needing help with food deliveries and include older people, families with disabilities and families on low income.
Newark Town Council is also assisting with the work and is coordinating with local market traders, to ‘top up the food parcels’ immediately prior to delivery with fresh fruit, vegetables and bread.
Coun David Lloyd, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “It is only through working in partnership with Morrisons, the British Red Cross, Ikea, the Town Council as well as a number of local suppliers and businesses, that we are able to ensure all those residents who need help with food supplies get it.
“I am grateful to all partners who have provided food for the Newark Food Bank as well as to the district council which will go a long way to helping many local people in need. It’s also great to see that local market traders are also keen to be involved. The community drive at the moment is overwhelming and I would sincerely like to thank everyone involved, as well as all Newark and Sherwood residents who are staying safe at home.’
Aaron Brocklehurst, Newark store manager of Morrisons, said: “We want to do all we can at the moment to support as many people as possible with food supplies.
“Working with Newark and Sherwood District Council ensures that supplies are getting to the people most in need. We are sending deliveries of ambient food – such as canned goods and pasta – so it can be stored and is ready to go out whenever it is needed.”
The council is also in contact with a number of other national and local outlets and is hoping to set up additional arrangements with these to provide further emergency food as this pandemic continues.
If you are an isolated resident and need help with the supply of food or medication during the COVID-19 pandemic, email the Nottinghamshire County Council community hub on enquiries@nottscc.gov.uk or if you don’t have internet access, then call 0300 500 8080.
All emails and calls will be triaged by Nottinghamshire County Council and details passed to the district council to action. Emergency food parcels are delivered with a supply of food, enough for 3-4 days and information about how to access food in the longer term. Further information is available at www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/hart
