VULNERABLE residents of Wem will soon not have to worry about their next meal is coming from with the upcoming launch of a ‘Meals on Wheels’ scheme.

At the start of lockdown, the town council-backed Wem Store Cupboard received calls for help from social workers and health workers.

Volunteers from Wem Store Cupboard were able to offer free delivered hot meals to vulnerable residents in the town free of charge.

From this work, the group and Wem Town Council identified a need for a meals on wheels scheme in the town, especially over the winter period in case of a second Covid-19 wave and subsequent lockdown.

Clerk of Wem Town Council, Penny O’Hagan explained the proposals.

“During the lockdown period representatives from Wem Store Cupboard received several calls from professionals including social workers and health workers requesting support for their clients who were housebound or were not able to cook food in their own homes for various reasons,” said Mrs O’Hagan.

“To help these residents the Store Cupboard was able to offer free delivered hot meals to those deemed as vulnerable. More than 50 meals were delivered during the lockdown period free of charge.

“From the crisis it has emerged that there is a need for the continuation of a subsidised meal delivery service for the most vulnerable residents in the town.

“At the same time this has identified an opportunity to provide limited support for local businesses who have suffered financially during the lockdown. “

At Wem Town Council’s July meeting, councillors discussed the scheme and what it would provide.

The scheme would provide a hot meal to vulnerable residents twice a week, which in turn would provide a regular source of income to businesses in the supply of these meals.

Mrs O’Hagan said there would be a significant amount of work involved in establishing the scheme and suggested working with volunteers from Wem Town Hall in delivering the meals.

“There is a significant amount of work involved in establishing a project like this,” added Mrs O’Hagan. “However once established the scheme can run with input from the administrator of a couple of hours per week.

“Wem Town Hall has expressed an interest in being the administrator and treasurer of this project and a grant application has been submitted to the Market Towns Fund.

“This proposal was discussed at a Wem Store Cupboard meeting held on July 21, attended by representatives from Wem Town Hall, Wem Food Hub, Wem Methodist Church and Incredible Edibles.

“All representatives present supported the proposal.”