Coronavirus: Newark and Sherwood District Council joins forces with Morrisons, British Red Cross, Ikea and Newark Town Council to distribute food and essentials across the district
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 partners, including Morrisons, 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 of food to councils to distribute to foodbanks and community kitchens, with the chain’s Newark store providing food locally.
This food is being distributed to Newark Foodbank, the Salvation Army and Carriages Café, 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, on Appletongate, which has temporarily been closed due to the outbreak.
These food parcels are to be distributed to those who are most in need — families and individuals who need help with food deliveries and include older people, families with disabilities and those on low income.
Newark Town Council is helping with the work and is coordinating with local market traders, to top up the food parcels immediately before delivery with fresh fruit, vegetables and bread.
David Lloyd, district council leader, said: ‘It is only through working 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 Foodbank 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 Morrisons store manager, said: “We want to do all we can to support as many people as possible with food supplies.
“Working with the district council ensures 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.”
District council staff have also offered their services to Carriages Café to deliver food to residents, with two workers assisting the delivery of 98 meals on Wednesday of last week.
The council is also in contact with 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, then email the Nottinghamshire County Council community hub on enquiries@nottscc.gov.uk or if you don’t have internet access, then please call 0300 500 8080.
All emails and calls will be triaged by the county council and details passed to the district council to action.
Emergency food parcels are delivered with a supply of food, enough for three to four days and information about how to access food in the longer term.
Further information is available at www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/hart
If you would like to order a meal for Wednesday, to be delivered between 3pm and 5pm, call Carriages Café on 01636 676129. Meals cost £2.50 or are free of charge if you are in need.
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