PEOPLE across South Somerset are receiving vital food packages thanks to a donation of 6,000 meals from one of Chard’s largest employers.

Oscar Mayer contacted South Somerset District Council with thousands of meals which could be frozen and distributed.

They will be used to help feed all those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and are being supported in accommodation provided by the district council.

The offer was so generous, it became a task for SSDC to store all the meals.

A spokesman for the district council said: “When Oscar Mayer originally got in touch, we thought it would cover around 100 to 200 meals.

“When we learned it was 6,000 meals from different product lines, we were taken aback but so grateful.

“It was a real challenge to find the appropriate storage for all this food but our brilliant team has worked hard to find space for it in both in district council buildings and at locations with partners regionally.

“This is going to make such a difference to those most in need at this time.”

Over the past few weeks, SSDC has been taking additional actions to ensure the most vulnerable are supported through the Coronavirus crisis.

This has included:

  • Securing new properties from private landlords and working with hotels to ensure anyone at risk of homelessness has somewhere to stay
  • Engaged with rough sleepers to either help them into emergency accommodation, or enable them to self-isolate safely with support from local agencies and charities
  • Setting up a wellbeing hub to support those being “shielded” who have been identified as high risk due to underlying health conditions.

A spokesman for Oscar Mayer said: “We are delighted to be able to support the local community at any time, but never more so than in these unprecedented and challenging times that are affecting the lives of so many.

“It is just fantastic to see everyone pull together to support the local community and we are just grateful that these products will go some way in supporting those that need it.

“This situation highlights again the plight of our key workers at Oscar Mayer that continue to work consistently hard to ‘feed the nation’ and support others less fortunate.”