Blacktown City Council is lending a helping hand to food charities including Foodbank and Meals on Wheels to assist people affected by the COVID-19 lockdown.
Council has redeployed almost 70 staff members from its libraries and leisure centres, which were forced to close due to restrictions, to assist volunteers at the vital community services.
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said, "Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Council has had to shut Key Venues in Blacktown City to comply with the public health order.
"Council has taken the opportunity to redeploy staff to Foodbank at its Glendenning warehouse and to Blacktown Meals on Wheels.
"Staff are assisting at Foodbank to provide emergency food relief to vulnerable people in Blacktown City and beyond. We also have staff helping deliver meals to the homes of elderly and disabled residents with Meals on Wheels.
"Redeployment is a great way to keep staff actively working while their usual place of work is closed."
Demand for food relief from Foodbank has surged during lockdown, with the charity packing as many as 3,500 hampers a day, CEO John Robertson said.
"Foodbank depends on its volunteer workforce to help keep the supplies moving. But this current lockdown under COVID-19 restrictions has seen our volunteer numbers drop dramatically," Mr Robertson said.
"Blacktown City Council is among those in our community who have answered the call and provided staff to fill the gap in our volunteer workforce."
Karen Parnell normally teaches swimming at Blacktown Aquatic Centre and says she's grateful to continue working at Foodbank during lockdown.
"Redeployment at Foodbank has been a godsend. The four hours a day has really helped not only physically and mentally, but also financially.
"It's hard work but I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity."
Requests for home-delivered meals from Blacktown Meals on Wheels have also risen during lockdown, with Blacktown Council's Jerome Golledge providing a much-needed helping hand.
The Emerton Youth Recreation Centre employee and tennis instructor at Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope said, "I've been able to go out and say hi to people, give them their COVID-safe meal, have a bit of a chat with them and go on my way."
Staff have also been redeployed within Council to assist at the Animal Rehoming Facility, plant nursery and with the maintenance of parks and reserves.
Picture from left: Kwun Wu and Jerome Golledge help deliver meals for Blacktown Meals on Wheels.
