COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR HERTFOOD DURING COVID 19

The Mayor of Hertford, Cllr Bob Deering recently visited volunteers at Hertford St Andrew School to deliver food supplies and give his support for the work undertaken by Hertfood over the last few months.

Since 27th April food parcels equivalent to over 37,000 meals have been delivered by local volunteer group Hertfood to families in and around Hertford needing extra support during this difficult period, with up to 62 families being supported at the height of lockdown.

Hertfood was set up by Debs Bonfield and Annegret Scott, in conjunction with local schools to provide fresh food and has really helped families during a time when schools have been closed and children have been unable to access school meals.

Councillor Deering said ‘This is a fantastic scheme showing true community spirit. It’s a real credit to Hertford. It is overwhelming to see how much support has been given. Thank you to everyone in the town and beyond who has so generously supported this both through donations and time given’.

Since March, over £7,500 has been generously donated by people in Hertford plus copious fresh food donations.

The scheme was given a boost with a £1,200 community grant from Hertford Town Council in July and a further 120 boxes of food from Hertfordshire County Council when Operation Shield ended at the beginning of August. Since March, over £,7,500 has been generously donated by people in Hertford plus copious fresh food donations.

Councillor Richard Roberts, Executive Member for Adult Care and Health at Hertfordshire County Council added ‘Hertfordshire County Council have supported well over 6000 vulnerable households shielding to stay safe as a result of the pandemic.  By the 14^th August the Council had delivered in excess of 112,000 Operation Shield care packages to individual homes, with a further 12,000 parcels going out to organisations across the County who were supporting their local community.  When shielding came to an end we were delighted to offer further support to local charities, food banks, town and parish councils by dispersing the remaining Shield stocks quickly and as widely as possible so that those still in need of support could be reached.  We are delighted that as part of this we were able to support Hertford Town Council and the fantastic efforts of local volunteers such as Debs Bonfield and Annegret Scott.‘