Firefighters support in project to deliver food parcels to most vulnerable people in Northamptonshire

Hundreds of free food parcels for the most vulnerable people in Northamptonshire have been put together, ready for delivery over the bank holiday weekend.

Staff and volunteers from a number of organisations across the county took delivery of essential food supplies, which were dropped off at hubs in Kettering and Corby, prior to being moved to a central location and packaged up into parcels to support the most vulnerable members of the community.

Nationally up to 1.5 million people in Britain have been asked to shield themselves by staying indoors for at least three months, after being identified as most at risk if exposed to Covid-19.

The food parcels will go to the ‘shielded’ populations within Northamptonshire, enabling them to stay home and stay safe during the period of this pandemic.

Lorries arrived at two food distribution hubs where they were greeted by volunteers from each of the organisations involved, who unloaded pallets of vital supplies such as tinned foods and pasta.

Firefighters, staff and volunteers from the various organisations, then set to work organising the food into boxes, ready to be taken to a central location and then sent out to the most vulnerable during the Easter break.

Organisations involved in the unloading and packaging of the food included Northamptonshire County Council, the University of Northampton, Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Services, Corby Borough Council, Kettering Borough Council and the Emergency Services Volunteers.

Thanks go to the British Red Cross, who arranged van supply and will be delivering food parcels to identified individuals, as well as Crisis Logistics Ltd, which donated a truck and driver to help with this work.

Matt Golby, Leader of Northamptonshire County Council said: “Our Community Resilience Hub have been working incredibly hard to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community receive the support they need during this time.

“Working closely with our partners has been an essential part of the work in the Community resilience team. In this case, working alongside Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service and the university, we are able to maximise resource and provide support quickly, to those who need it most.”

Chief Fire Officer Darren Dovey said:  “Part of our work as one of the emergency services is to look out for the safety of all sections of our communities.

“We were proud to be able to supply crews to help support this work, which will go a long way to help keep people safe and protected in our county.”

Becky Bradshaw, Director of Estates and Campus Services at the University of Northampton, said:  “The University is more than happy to again work with our partner organisations across the county, supporting their efforts during the pandemic. University teams have even volunteered their own free time helping out with food packaging.”