Food parcel deliveries to food banks to continue in Wolverhampton
Food parcels will continue to be delivered to food banks for two months in Wolverhampton, council chiefs have said.
A total of 1,000 packages will be sent out to various groups across the city amid a decline in donations and increased demand.
It comes after senior figures announced the emergency food parcel deliveries would wind down at the end of the month as coronavirus restrictions ease.
But parcels will continue to be distributed to food banks across the city until September after being extended by bosses.
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Leader of the council, Councillor Ian Brookfield said: "The city’s food banks are doing amazing work ensuring households in crisis are getting something to eat as well as essential toiletries.
"They are literally a lifeline to people in need.
"As well as the council's own huge operation to deliver food parcels to people shielding during the lockdown, we have also supplied the city’s food banks with supplies throughout this time.
Impact
"With shielding coming to an end this month, we are winding down our food parcel deliveries, but we have made a commitment to continue supplying the food banks for a further two months until the end of September.
"This will give them a chance to get back on their feet after the impact of the lockdown and continue to help those in financial crisis.
"As unemployment increases due to the impact of the virus, we know that need will sadly also increase."
Food banks receiving donated food parcels include The Well, Adventist Foodbank, Bilston People’s Centre and Excel Church, Stratton Street Park Village and the Elias Mattu Foundation.
Caroline Price, project leader from The Well Foodbank, said: "We are so grateful for the support from Wolverhampton Council in providing us with food boxes weekly during the pandemic.
"The Well has remained open throughout the lockdown, continuing our long-term work of delivering food and toiletry parcels across the city.
"Those we usually support has extended to people shielding, those with no local family or friends to support them to get their shopping, and those impacted by a reduction in income.
"Last year we supported 10,000 people and expect this number to increase significantly during 2020/21. The food boxes are a vital part of this support.
"Sadly, with the daily announcement of redundancies, we are preparing for an increase of referrals in the coming months. Knowing that the food boxes will continue into September is so helpful to us."
