Up to June 22, over 7,500 food parcels were delivered by 16 community organisations to residents around Perth & Kinross who were self-isolating or otherwise unable to access.

Teams from across the council were redeployed to lead the emergency communities response, and worked together with community groups including Letham 4 All, Feldy Roo in Aberfeldy, Broke Not Broken in Kinross and Perth and Kinross Foodbank to support this effort and enable residents to access food and other vital services.

Eleanor Kelleher from Perth and Kinross Foodbank, said: “We have been extremely grateful to the council for its rapid response early in the lockdown process and both the direct and indirect help we have received. We have benefitted from redeployed council staff and resources and new initiatives such as the online community support page, the direct phone number and email where members of the public could access food, as well as other help. This has taken the pressure off us and allowed us time to plan a different and sustainable way of working for the foreseeable future.

“It has also ensured many people have been able to access emergency food provision during this crisis; something the council can be proud of. We are very much open and fortunately in a strong position to help the people who will need us in the difficult months ahead and look forward to working with the council teams again.”

Councillor Murray Lyle, council leader, added: “Nobody should have to go hungry or worry about not getting the support they need at any time, and particularly not during the difficult circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic. We have worked closely with community organisations around Perth and Kinross to make it as easy as possible for residents to access food and other important forms of help and assistance while staying safe.

“As we move further forward out of lockdown we will be continuing to build on the partnerships we have developed to provide the most effective support we can to communities.”