Councillors help to keep Alnwick Food Bank operating after its volunteers go into self-isolation

Town councillors have stepped in to ensure Alnwick District Food Bank remains open after its volunteers went into self-isolation.
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Members of Alnwick Town Council have been sourcing supplies from supermarkets, taking deliveries to the food bank and putting together emergency food parcels.

It is just one example of the community spirit being shown during the coronavirus pandemic.

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The town council, working in partnership with other organisations and groups, is leading and coordinating efforts to minimise the difficulties people are facing.

Alnwick District Food Bank.Alnwick District Food Bank.
Alnwick District Food Bank.

Coun Gordon Castle, member for Alnwick on Northumberland County Council, is full of praise for the efforts being made.

“The team effort is quite remarkable and without any outside help or funding is now able to field over 100 volunteers for prescription collection and delivery, plus reassurance telephone calls and emergency food distribution, organised through town councillors and administered from the centre by chief officer Peter Hately,” he said.

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The community’s efforts even featured on Radio 4’s You and Yours programme on Friday.

Every house in Alnwick should have had a town council leaflet through the door explaining what is available to those in need and how to access it.

“We are evolving the processes as we go along but I have yet to see a council operating together as a team with such dedication and efficiency and I think the public in receipt of their services know it,” said Coun Castle.

Alnwick-based NEED (North East Equality & Diversity), the community transport organisation, is also offering help to outlying isolated communities.

Christians Together in Alnwick are also offering support.

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Meanwhile, Alnwick Medical Group (AMG) has thanked the community for showing its appreciation to NHS workers in a ‘clap for carers’ last Thursday evening.

‘Can't believe the support we feel from everyone after that clapping,’ they posted on their Facebook page. ‘AMG will do everything we can to look after our patients through these difficult times - we really don't expect thanks but that support was so special - it will help us to keep going.’

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