Coronavirus: Blacktown Meals on Wheels delivers toilet paper to the elderly

An unlikely special delivery is on its way to some of Blacktown’s most vulnerable residents to help alleviate the stress of the coronavirus crisis.

Blacktown Meals on Wheels’ Rebecca Waterhouse (left) and Amber Bulbert are helping some of the region’s most vulnerable residents access toilet paper during the coronavirus crisis. Picture: Monique Harmer

• Blacktown coronavirus: New confirmed case at Quakers Hill Nursing Home
• Coronavirus: Blacktown medical centre confirms two new cases

It’s the top commodity of the coronavirus outbreak and now rolls of toilet paper will be delivered to hundreds of elderly and isolated residents across Blacktown.

Thanks to a partnership with Woolworths, Blacktown Meals on Wheels will deliver up to 300 packs of toilet paper to clients alongside their regular hot and frozen meals.

Over the coming week, existing clients of the service will receive a one-off delivery of a pack of four toilet rolls to assist during stock shortages.

Manager Rebecca Waterhouse said the donation was a lifeline for the service’s many frail and disabled clients, who were most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s going to take a lot of stress off them,” Ms Waterhouse said.

“Even though supermarkets allow pensioners in between 7 and 8am, for some people, it’s hard to get out at all.

Amber Bulbert and Rebecca Waterhouse pictured with a special toilet paper delivery at Blacktown Meals on Wheels. Picture: Monique Harmer

“A lot of people rely on community transport, which doesn’t operate during those hours, so for a lot of people, I think this would be a relief for them.

“We’re already out there giving them the meals they’ve ordered, so it’s just easy for us to bring them toilet paper as well.”

Ms Waterhouse said clients had been quick to express their gratitude for the special delivery, with demand for the service expected to increase during the crisis.

“We’ve had lots of thank yous. In all the panic that’s going on, you can sense the relief and it just prompts them to be thankful for the service,” she said.

“Because the supermarkets are being bombarded with people, some foods are hard for people to get.

“With a lockdown, people are going to be a lot more isolated so we will likely see more people getting meals from us.”

Coronavirus panic buying has led to shortages of toilet paper and other essential items at supermarkets in Blacktown and beyond. Picture: Kate Lockley

Woolworths Managing Director Claire Peters acknowledged the challenge of securing essential items like toilet paper due to unprecedented demand in recent weeks.

“We are pleased to be able to begin working with Meals on Wheels in NSW to help provide them with toilet paper to deliver to the elderly and vulnerable in the community,” Ms Peters said.

Ms Waterhouse assured clients the service would continue to operate during increasing shutdown restrictions.

“We will be here for as long as we can be here. Even if it was to come to a full lockdown, we will still do everything we can to get meals out there,” she said.