More than 100 people a day taking advantage of South Elmsall ‘lifeline’ isolation meals

More than 100 people a day are now taking advantage of a “lifeline” food delivery service.

South Elmsall Town Council launched their ‘Isolation Meals’ service last month, in an effort to support the hundreds of residents left isolated by new social distancing rules.

Town clerk Clare Baxter said: “We started the first week with about 6 meals a day, about 35 the second week and it’s just gone bigger and bigger.

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“We do around 100 now a day, we’ve got three delivery teams on it. It has been an extremely successful project.

“We’re managing to put this project together on a skeleton staff and we’re looking after our community as best we can.

“It really is a lifeline service.”

Offering hot and cold meals at a subsidised price of just £3, the council have already helped dozens of residents, and have even extended their scheme to cover South Kirkby and Moorthorpe.

The team have received thank you cards from many of their customers, as well as people who are relying on the town council to care for their relatives while they isolate elsewhere.

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They are now delivering food essentials and medications to those in need, and hope to roll out a scheme to support children who are entitled to free school meals.

With help from South Elmsall Community Facilities, the team have also been able to organise emergency food packages for residents seeking help from Wakefield Council.

But Clare said the team were facing many of the same problems as other community groups - including a lack of masks and other protective equipment.

She said: “We’re struggling a little bit for PPE, even though we’re willing to pay for it.

“That has been a little bit difficult to access.”

Visit South Elmsall Town Council on Facebook for more information or to join the food deliveries scheme.