People who have been financially impacted by the covid pandemic can now apply for a pre-packaged essential food box from Swale Borough Council to help feed their families.
The council’s winter grant scheme has been created to help support local families who have been financially impacted by covid and will help people who have received a reduction of income, loss of employment or other financial suffering due to the pandemic.
Nine different pre-packaged essential food boxes will be available to meet the various dietary, cultural and religious needs of local residents.
Each box will provide enough food for seven days and will be delivered within a maximum of two weeks of an application being accepted.
Cllr Richard Palmer, cabinet member for community at the council, said:
“The winter grant scheme is a new service that is in direct response to those who are suffering financial hardship because of the covid pandemic.
“This year has taken its toll on families in many ways and we want to help those who have been hit the hardest financially.
“We’ll be working with both Bidfood and Diversity House to deliver the food boxes to residents’ homes.
“Working with both organisations means we can provide a range of dietary requirements as well as cultural and religious specifications.
“If you’ve recently become unemployed because of the pandemic we encourage you to visit our website to see if you are eligible and make an application.
“Once your application is submitted, our community support team will carry out an assessment. If successful, the essential food box will be delivered to you within two weeks.
“We know this has been a difficult year for people and we’re doing everything we can to help support families experiencing financial hardship this winter.”
To be eligible for support you must:
• Have recently become unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Not already be receiving help from the Kent Support and Assistance Scheme.
• Not already be receiving benefits related free school meals.
• Not already be receiving support through all the available government benefits.
• Be experiencing current financial hardship, for example loss of income before benefits have been assessed.
• Be fleeing domestic abuse.
Swale Borough Council
