Mayor of Derry & Strabane welcomes extension of Food Parcel Service

The Department for Communities has announced that the £6.3m emergency service, set up in April in partnership with local councils and voluntary and community organisations to support those who are most vulnerable during the COVID-19 crisis, would be extended.

Mayor Tierney said this was welcome news, particularly for vulnerable members of the local community who are shielding and have no access to food through online shopping, family, friends or local support networks.

He said: “I am pleased that this service has been extended. It is important that we do all we can to support the vulnerable members of our community across the Council area. I would like to acknowledge the role played by Advice NI in managing the COVID-19 Community Helpline and say a huge thank you to the Council staff and those working within the community and voluntary sector in assisting with the distribution of this vital resource.”

The Department has advised that those people who are shielding and have previously registered their need for a food box through the COVID-19 Community Helpline will automatically continue to receive a food box until July 31.

They have also advised that anyone shielding who has not previously registered through the COVID-19 Community Helpline should contact the helpline now to register. This will enable them to talk to their local health trust and facilitate continued delivery of a food box until July 31.

More than 150,000 food boxes have been delivered to those most in need since the Department for Communities launched its COVID-19 Food Parcel Service in April.

The emergency service was initially set up by the then Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic for a period of 12 weeks to support those who are most vulnerable in this crisis.

As part of the transition from an emergency response, Minister Hargey had decided to invest £1.5million in an extension to the food parcel programme beyond June 26 for those currently receiving a food box who have been asked to shield by their GPs and have no other help to access food.

Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín, who will now oversee the service as it transitions, said: “I want to thank everyone in the department, councils and voluntary and community organisations who have contributed to the success of the initiative, which has seen 150,084 food boxes delivered to those in need over the past 10 weeks.

“I am delighted this vital service will continue for those who are receiving a food box and shielding as advised by their GP – those who can’t get out to get food and are unable to get food in because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I would also like to offer my sincere thanks to Advice NI for managing the COVID-19 Community Helpline. This has been a vital resource that has ensured people who are in critical need have received the right support in the midst of this health emergency.”