A CASH boost of more than £54,000 has been provided for Malvern and Tenbury Wells Foodbanks and for other voluntary organisations supporting the vulnerable during the pandemic.
The funding has come from the DEFRA Food and Essential Supplies Grant and Malvern Hills District Council has been working with groups, including Maggs Malvern, Tenbury NILS, Upton Baptist Church, Kempsey Sickness in Need and more.
A total of £10,000 of this funding has been provided to Malvern Foodbank to support those struggling to afford to pay gas and electric.
Fuel poverty is a key issue in the district and the authority wants to ensure all residents in need of help can be supported.
Businesses and restaurants across the district have come forward to provide free meals and packed lunches for children over half term.
These include The Octagon Centre, Gallery 36, Barnards Green Fish Bar, Café in the Green and more.
The council is also working with Worcestershire Children First to provide more support if needed and Worcestershire County Council’s Here 2 Help scheme is available which continues to support vulnerable people in the community.
A Test and Trace Support Payment of £500 is also available for people on low incomes who have to self-isolate. Certain criteria must be met and the scheme will run until January 31, 2021.
As well as this, through the Green Homes Grant scheme, homeowners and landlords can apply for vouchers to contribute to the cost of energy-saving home improvements – up to £5,000 for most homeowners, or £10,000 for low income households.
Coun Sarah Rouse, Leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said: “This is a difficult time for many and no-one should have to go hungry.
“By working together with Worcestershire County Council, foodbanks and local organisations we are able to provide welfare support directly to the people who need it most. We would also like to thank the community for their generous offers of free meals.”
Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/community/coronavirus-covid-19-update for more information on the support available.
