Charities and organisations in Plymouth who provide food and essential items for vulnerable people are being invited to bid for grant funding of up to £10,000. This is in addition to the Emergency Food Grant funding that is also open for applications and will complement that scheme.
A funding pot of approximately £160,000 has been set aside from the £950,000 the Plymouth City Council was awarded as part of the Government’s COVID Winter Grant Scheme (WGS) and will be awarded to groups, charities and social enterprises who can provide food and essential items to vulnerable people (individuals and families) in need either through buying, storage or distribution.
The Winter Grant Scheme has been able to provide direct support to vulnerable people in Plymouth households and families particularly affected by the pandemic, with food and essential utility costs, where alternative sources of assistance may be unavailable.
Since the funding was announced in November the council has worked with city schools to distribute more than 10,000 unique e-voucher codes to families on their free school meals registers to support them with the cost of buying food over the Christmas holidays.
The council has also partnered with Plymouth Energy Community to distribute £280,000 to people at risk of fuel poverty as a result of the impacts of the pandemic to eligible households.
Councillor Chris Penberthy Cabinet Member for Housing and Co-operative Development said:
“We know that a great many Plymouth families have faced financial challenges over the past few months as a result of the fallout resulting from the pandemic and our absolute priority has been helping those who need it most, but we know there is still more to do.
“That is why we want voluntary groups and organisations to come forward to apply for this funding and help us ensure these limited monies are put to best use by those that need it most.”
Visit Plymouth.gov.uk and search for Winter Grant Scheme. The deadline for bids is 5pm on Tuesday January 26.
