North Yorkshire County Council calls on supermarkets to help county's most vulnerable people

North Yorkshire County Council needs the stores to deliver to residents who are struggling to get essential supplies during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Shortly, people who are within the group of 1.5 million identified by the Government as those at most medical risk from Covid-19 will begin to see food parcels delivered directly to their homes.

This is expected to include about 20,000 people in North Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire County Council has also identified a number of other people who will not be part of this group but may still be in critical need of help.

County council leader Cllr Les Carl said: “Some people will be able to help themselves and we encourage them to do so if they can, as this will help to ensure that the support that is available can be directed to those who need it.

“We know that some supermarkets, including Tesco and Sainsbury’s, are prioritising people over 70 for home deliveries, so if you are in that group look at the stores’ online delivery options. We are now urging other supermarkets to operate in the same way.

“People should also turn first to family, friends and neighbours and friends for help with things like getting in groceries or collecting medication. If that network is not available, please also look to community organisations or groups to which you belong.

“If none of those options is available, we are working with district council colleagues and selected community organisations to deliver that support.

“People can help themselves by using the big supermarkets for deliveries but there are local businesses that may be able to help you and we are putting them in touch with local community groups to arrange local solutions.

“Buying local at this time also helps local businesses that might be struggling, so even for those people not in a vulnerable category this is an opportunity to support your local businesses.

“Local businesses are responding well to our request and have been asking how they can help. If there are local supermarkets or shops that can help with this work to protect the vulnerable, we urge them to contact us.”

People in urgent need of help who have no friends, family, church or clubs to turn to should get in touch the County Council’s customer service centre on 01609 780780 or find more information on the County Council’s website, www.northyorks.gov.uk/coronavirus

If you are a business that wants to help, get in touch with the county council on [email protected] with details of where you are and how you could help.

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