Food parcels for those most in need

Food packages will include items such as tinned goods, dried foods, breakfast cereal and some essential toiletries

Families, older citizens and those identified as being most at risk, will also benefit from the initiative, which is being led by the Department for Communities, in conjunction with Health Trusts, local councils, the Voluntary and Community sector and the private sector.

The food packages will include items such as tinned goods, dried foods, breakfast cereal and some essential toiletries.

Local voluntary and community organisations and council staff will distribute the food packages in adherence to the Public Health Agency health protection guidelines.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr Maureen Morrow, said: “This is very welcome news for the many people in our local communities who have been urged to shield themselves and protect their own health and wellbeing at this difficult time.

“We are seeing first-hand how tough the Coronavirus pandemic is for people from all walks of life and across all age brackets and so this initiative, which Council is helping to deliver in the borough, is a helping hand to the people who need it most.”

Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey MLA, explained: “This vital service will ensure that those most in need in our society who do not have a support network of family and friends to help them through this emergency will have access to basic food supplies.

“Not only will it ensure that the most vulnerable do not go without but it will allow those at risk of social isolation to see a friendly face and know that we as a society have not forgotten them.”

If you feel you need to avail of the food parcel initiative, or know someone who does, the Freephone COVID-19 Community Helpline can be accessed by telephone on 0808 802 0020; email [email protected] or text ACTION to 81025.

The helpline is available 7 days a week, from 9am to 5pm.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you

https://www.newsletter.co.uk