Free food parcels for city's most vulnerable

FOOD parcels are to be delivered to some of Edinburgh's most vulnerable residents who were left cut off by the recent cold snap.

An initial batch of around 500 hampers containing basic food essentials worth 30 will be delivered to elderly and vulnerable people across the city.

The deliveries, which are being organised by the city council, will begin from today and are being supported by supermarket giant Tesco.

The council faced criticism last week for reacting too slowly after heavy snowfalls and plunging temperatures left many older people stranded in their homes.

News of the deliveries comes as much of Edinburgh's snow has disappeared, but council chiefs said the rescue effort had taken days to organise and could now be reintroduced more quickly in future.

The average food parcel contains basic supplies such as toilet paper, coffee, tinned goods and fresh vegetables.

The groceries are being provided by Tesco, which has also offered staff to gather and pack the goods in the firm's distribution centre. The parcels will then be delivered by council staff to people's homes.

Council leader Jenny Dawe said: "I am delighted that the council is providing essential provisions to our most vulnerable residents.

"Our home care services have continued throughout the severe weather and the council has been proactively contacting residents most at risk.

"Whilst only a small number of residents may therefore require food parcels, it is only right that we look after those residents who have been unable to leave their homes given the severity and prolonged nature of the adverse conditions."

She added: "I would urge everyone to continue looking out for each other as this cold spell continues."

While around 500 parcels have been ordered from Tesco, an initial batch of 75 will be delivered from today to those most in need. The cost of the parcels is being met by the council, which has chosen the items based on advice from a nutritionist.

Council staff are currently contacting known vulnerable people who they think may need a food parcel.

These include older people with no known next of kin, those using the Community Alarm service and people with mobility issues who might have difficulty getting out of their homes.

People who live in sheltered housing who have previously had assistance with shopping over the period of bad weather will also be contacted.

Yesterday, some of Britain's leading supermarkets reported panic buying amid reports that more bad weather is on its way.

Fears over supplies of fresh milk led to the Government relaxing restrictions on delivery drivers.

• If you know of anyone who you think might need a food parcel, please call 0131 200 2324.

BARE NECESSITIES

The average food parcel contains the following:

Toilet paper, tissues, shampoo, orange juice, coffee, soap, UHT milk, biscuits, cornflakes, bread, jam, baked beans, oat cereal, pasta, potatoes, chicken pie, tomatoes, rice, sweetcorn, carrots, soup, butter, tuna, beef pie, tinned tomatoes, tinned peaches, sugar, fruit cocktail, peas, eggs, ham.

Your Say: Are food parcels a good idea?

Malcolm Wallace, 71, retired, St Leonard's Street: "I think it's a bit late. It's a nice thought but I don't think it's a good idea really at this stage."

Gill Williamson, 41, marketing manager, West Savile Road: "I would think they could have mobilised food parcels before now. They can manage to get aid to foreign countries quicker than that."

John Webster, 66, water industry consultant, Balerno: "I think probably it's a worthwhile thing in general, with or without the snow."

• www.edinburgh.gov.uk