Derbyshire County Council sends out emergency food parcels

More than 400 emergency food parcels have been sent to residents in need across the county with more to be delivered as part of an ongoing scheme led by Derbyshire County Council.

A spokesperson said: “The boxes are to provide emergency supplies to vulnerable people running low on provisions and unable to shop during lockdown for a variety of reasons.

“As such they contain long-life items like tinned fruit, veg, meat and fish, pasta and UHT milk - for one person for a week.

“Wherever possible, and where our suppliers have stocks, we will supplement these items with fresh fruit and veg.

“The boxes are free to people in the group classed by the government as ‘shielded’.

“If people are unable to get out to buy food because they are self-isolating or looking after a vulnerable person, rather than because they can’t afford it, they are asked to pay £25.”

Meanwhile the council says it would refer any vulnerable people, not just ‘shielded’ who are unable to afford food because they have lost their job, or are on a low-income or benefits, to their food bank network.

Leader of Derbyshire County Council Councillor Barry Lewis said: “We know people are struggling as a result of the coronavirus either because they can’t go to the shops themselves and have no one around who can help, or because of the financial strain due to being laid off, furloughed or self-employed.

“This is and just one of a package of measures we’ve put in place to support our residents at this difficult and challenging time and we’re doing all we can to get emergency supplies to the people who need it most as part of our Derbyshire Community Response Unit.”

Food parcels are packed centrally in premises loaned free of charge by the Chatsworth Estate and delivered to people’s homes in conjunction with district and borough councils and voluntary sector organisations.

Anyone who does not have any family or friends to call on to help with shopping can request an emergency food parcel either online at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/gethelp or by calling the Community Response Unit helpline on 01629 535091 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.

Since the start of April, the Community Response Unit has dealt with requests for help from more than 2,000 people in need of essential services because they have no friends or family who can help.

The council has also given a £100,000 grant to food bank provision across Derbyshire, and supported 200 schools to provide 4,000 hampers for pupils eligible for benefits-related free school meals.

There are 23 food banks in Derbyshire and there are donation points in supermarkets across the county. They are run by charities and non-profit organisations and mainly run by volunteers, and they provide a minimum of 3 days' emergency food and support to people experiencing a crisis.

Derbyshire's food banks are in Ashbourne, Belper, Bolsover, Buxton, Chesterfield, Clay Cross, Glossop, Heanor, Holmewood, Ilkeston, Killamarsh, Langley Mill, Littlemoor, Long Eaton, Matlock, New Mills, Ripley, South Normanton and Swadlincote.