The Coeliac Society of Ireland is teaming up with baked goods brand Promise Gluten Free to deliver free food packs to hundreds of vulnerable coeliacs who are cocooning during the lockdown.
Delivery of around 400 care packs which will include gluten free bread, hot cross buns and brioche to the homes of mostly elderly people throughout Ireland will start this week, the group said.
"These care packs will help keep them safe and well by allowing them to stick to their gluten free diet, but they will also mean they have one less thing to worry about at a time of real stress and anxiety in their lives,” said Gill Brennan, CEO, Coeliac Society.
The move comes after cocooning members of the Coeliac Society who could not travel expressed concern that they would struggle to access gluten free products as the coronavirus lockdown continues, the group explained.
'Glutened' Fears
Many feared they might become ‘glutened’ because they would not be able to stick the strict gluten free diet which is required to manage their coeliac disease, it added.
“The Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown is a very worrying time and it is important that we help and protect those who are vulnerable," said Mary Horkan, senior marketing manager at Promise Gluten Free.
“We hope the care package brings some joy to those people who can’t leave their homes right now," she added.
The society said that it hopes that further deliveries in the coming weeks will include products from other manufacturers.
Anyone wishing to support The Coeliac Society of Ireland can do so here.
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