Streets Kitchen volunteer Rachel Lipsitz with the New Journal’s Dan Carrier

AS the lockdown turns our normal lives upside down, the New Journal remained in the thick of attempts to get help to those in need this week.

We dropped off more than 100 hot meals to those unable to cook – from the elderly to families living in temporary accommodation, some of them cooked at home by our reporters, others supplied by groups responding to the crisis but needing delivery help.

And we also put together bags of emergency groceries to take to single people with health issues who are finding it hard to access food, older residents who have been told they must stay indoors, and families struggling to make ends meet as the shutdown closes the door on income.

We have provided donations to the Somers Town Community Association, Highgate Newtown Community Centre, Queen’s Crescent Community Association, Kentish Town Community Centre and homeless outreach workers working for the Streets Kitchen, based in the Gilgamesh restaurant kitchens during the crisis.

Peter Simonson and Farrah Rainfly from the Somers Town Community Association and, below, Wendy Burke and Queeny Singh at England’s Lane Hostel

In an aid wagon lent to us for free by the Kentish Town H&H van hire company, we have left parcels at safe distance for the elderly on their own – rekindled the spirit of our Christmas hamper appeal. Our aim has been to connect people with something to donate to those in need, utilising the paper’s place as Camden’s most far-reaching newspaper.

We have visited sheltered accommodation blocks, Almshouses, and made sure our communities know where they can get help. On our rounds, we have seen how the impact of three weeks of lockdown is really biting our neighbourhoods. Food cupboards are bare, savings drained, wages stopped – but the people of Camden are fighting back.

Sharley Newitt of the NW5 Play Project

Farrah Rainfly, who runs the Life After Hummus food project and is co-ordinating the relief effort at the Somers Town Community Association, said: “We have been working to make sure everyone who needs help gets it, but we know how tough things are becoming.”

“I took a food parcel to a grandmother who is looking after her two teenage grandchildren.She had not been able to feed the kids a decent meal for over a week. She said she had been living on cups of tea and the odd slice of toast to stave off her hunger.”

Steve Gardner, Charlotte Hicks, Chris Greaves and Rickie Hicks of H & H van hire, who have lent the CNJ a van to deliver food supplies

The New Journal delivered a mix of goods to the centre in Ossulston Street, ranging from fresh fruit and veg, bread, cakes and other products – including vital shopping basket must-haves that can be sometimes forgotten, such as sanitary products.

Former charity worker Bob Dowd and curry house Monsoon have also helped providing some of the food. We made deliveries to two hostels in Arlington Road, Camden Town – and took a supply of food and nappies to the England’s Lane hostel. With more than 40 children aged under four living there, the need for nappies and baby wipes was urgent.

Thank you to everybody who has helped.

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