Council steps in to help struggling food banks in Wolverhampton
Food parcels have been donated to food banks across Wolverhampton which are struggling due to coronavirus.
There have been fewer donations due to the virus, say city council officials, with many more people experiencing hardship.
Wolverhampton Council has stepped in to donate food parcels to the crucial groups from its emergency food distribution hub.
Councillor Ian Brookfield, leader of the authority, said: "We heard that local food banks had seen a drop in donations of dried foods and toiletries when social distancing began.
"With the food hub set up at Aldersley Stadium and hundreds of employees redeployed to work there, we knew that we would be able to help our city’s food banks by making up extra food parcels to donate.
"Since then we have been donating a minimum of 60 boxes to each of the five food banks we are working with every week.
"These are exceptional circumstances and, as a city, we need to work together to look after our own – especially those struggling in hardship.
"When this is all over, and we will come through it, I want us to look back and say 'we left no one behind'."
Parcels have been handed out to The Well, Adventist Foodbank, Bilston People's Centre, Stratton Street Park Village and the Elias Mattu Foundation.
It is being distributed by the centre at Aldersley Stadium, which was transformed into a food hub within days of the lockdown – ensuring vulnerable people receive essential supplies.
Currently around 2,000 parcels are being delivered each week.
Caroline Price, project leader from The Well food bank, said: "The donated parcels from the food distribution hub are a blessing during a time we need them.
"These food parcels will support residents across the city who are facing financial struggles for a variety of reasons, including the current pandemic, and we really appreciate this partnership with Wolverhampton Council."
