Vulnerable individuals in Gwynedd and Ynys Môn are receiving food packages to support them during the Coronavirus crisis.
Gwynedd Council is a part of the new ‘Neges’ scheme and working together with social enterprise, Menter Môn and Dylan’s restaurant to ensure that vulnerable individuals across the county receive a package of nutritious food to support them during the Covid-19 crisis.
The Isle of Anglesey County Council is also a part of the scheme, and Gwynedd and Anglesey Councils are identifying those individuals and families that will gain the most in receiving these food packages.
Education Cabinet Member for Gwynedd Council, Councillor Cemlyn Rees Williams said: “Gwynedd Council is very proud to be working together on this extremely important scheme.
“As a Cabinet Member responsible for the Education sector, I’m grateful for the excellent work to provide care for the children of key workers. Thank you everyone that’s involved with ensuring that this scheme will succeed and will provide food to children at this difficult time.”
The food packages that are distributed at the moment include individual meals produced by Dylan’s alongside other foods such as bread, milk, juice, cereal, tinned foods, fruit and veg. Most of the produce have been sourced locally, ensuring that we’re supporting those local businesses that are also having a hard time during this period.
Cabinet Member for Children and Supporting Families for Gwynedd Council, Councillor Dilwyn Morgan said: “As a Council, we have a responsibility to care for the welfare of vulnerable children and families in the county. This is something that we take seriously at any time, but it’s even more important at a time like this where there’s so many people under pressure because of the Coronavirus.
“It lifts someone’s spirits to see the joint-working that’s happening between the public sector, social enterprises and the private sector. This shows what we can achieve through coming together for the sake of people on a truly local level. Thanks to those involved for your dedication and for making a true difference.”
Packages have also been provided to homeless people in the county who are now living in temporary accommodation.
Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Craig ab Iago said: “I’m really glad to see that we’re able to help people in this way. During the pandemic, the staff of our Homelessness Team in the Council have secured temporary accommodation for homeless individuals and these food packages are key to helping sustain people during these difficult times.”
The scheme, that’s coordinated by Menter Môn, also provides food for staff at Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Glan Clwyd that can’t access to the canteen because of the restrictions that are in place because of Covid-19. During the last week, a 131 vulnerable children and adults in Gwynedd received one of the ‘Neges’ food packages. The scheme continues to grow and there’ll be more packages delivered this week.
Dylan’s have provided the use of their producing unit in Llangefni and the staff for free. David Evans, one of the co-founders of the restaurant said: “Once we were able to put arrangements in place for our business we were eager to concentrate on helping the community that supports us. Because we’re feeding thousands of people per week, this was an obvious way to contribute.”
Dafydd Gruffydd, Manager Director of Menter Môn added: “We had been looking at how to distribute food but have been struggling to find a suitable partner. So when Dylan’s contacted with us everything fell into place. We at Menter Môn have been coordinating reference arrangements and paying for ingredients and Dylan’s then prepares the food and distributed them.”
Funding has been secured to develop the scheme through Môn Larder – a scheme that’s supported by the Welsh Government to develop the food supplying chain across the county. The scheme is also supported by many local producers and businesses.
