Volunteers deliver their 1,000th food parcel

VOLUNTEERS from Great Sankey Parish and community food hub have delivered their 1000th food parcel during the Coronavirus crisis.

For eight weeks now the West Warrington emergency food hubs at Great Sankey, Penketh and Westbrook have been delivering food parcels to the Elderly and vulnerable.
In early March both the Great Sankey and Penketh Parish councils reacted fast to the immediate Coronavirus crisis. Two emergency food hubs, one at Great Sankey Hood Manor Community and another at Penketh Youth Club were set up. They are lead by Cllr Amanda King Great Sankey South, Cllr David Simm Chair of Penketh Parish Council, Lindsay Baker, Penketh and supported by large group of local community volunteers, serving the elderly and vulnerable.
Last week the Great Sankey Hood Manor food hub delivered to its 1000 person, Mary Holt at the Your Housing Association bungalows on Hepherd Street.
Mary said: “We have been delighted by the kindness and food delivered. Especially when the shops were empty and we struggled to know if it was safe to leave our homes. The kindness of the Parish and all the volunteers has brightened our days and kept us well. The whole street looks forward to the food parcels.”
Cllr Amanda King pictured with Mary said: “t has been a pleasure to be of service to Mary and all our residents during this crisis. The rapid response, donations and setup enabled us all to make sure our elderly did not go without food at a time when they needed it the most. The volume of grateful voicemails and notes shows how much this was and is needed. Many residents were told to remain indoors for 12 weeks but did not have anyone to turn to, did not qualify for a Government food pack and had no delivery slots.
Cllr King added: “Many residents are starting to get help now and can come off our food parcel lists however, we are receiving new requests as resident’s circumstances change. Our team expects the food hubs to continue into July but are monitoring the situation’.

Cllr Peter Watson Chair of Great Sankey Parish Council said: “I am honoured to have supported the set up of the Food Hubs and it’s been amazing watching the outstanding work of the volunteers. The community has really come together.”
Penketh Hub has delivered to over 600 people and in recent weeks a third hub has been launched from Sevenwoods Pub manned by Landlord Vicki and Les Anders they have delivered to over 200 people. Plus supported many local nursing homes.
All three food hubs combined cover 6 wards across West Warrington from Burtonwood to Penketh with weekly free emergency food parcels. This area covers 50000 homes and has over 10300 Elderly residents.