The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) have entered a new partnership with Co-op, which will support local charities, community groups and voluntary organisations tackling food poverty to help vulnerable people during these challenging times.
Funds have been raised thanks to customer purchases from the Co-op picnic range, with Co-op generously donating over £35,000 through the National Emergencies Trust for Hampshire and Isle of Wight communities impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.
The grant funding program will enable the provision of emergency food and will address the impact of food insecurity on those in need. Grants are available for community projects that can provide access to nutritious food and balanced meals, redistribute surplus food, help educate on shopping smartly to make low-cost meals, limit food waste and prioritize the wellbeing of children and young people impacted by food poverty.
Grants of £1,000 to £5,000 are available now and groups should apply through the HIWCF website: www.hiwcf.com/funds/co-op-covid-19/ before midday on Friday 13th November 2020.
Grant Cornwell MBE, HIWCF Chief Executive commented:
“We would like to thank Co-op for their generosity and support in setting up this new grants programme to help vulnerable people in our communities. Local charitable groups across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are working so hard to address the issues caused by food poverty, with the situation made much worse by the coronavirus pandemic, and sadly the sector is facing a severe loss in income which may jeopardise their future at this crucial time.
“This new grant programme comes at an invaluable time and we urge local groups based in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to apply for funding, to make a difference to the lives of individuals and families experiencing really tough times in our communities.”
Rebecca Birkbeck, Director of Community and Shared Value at Co-op, said:
“It’s heart-breaking to think of families and children in the UK going hungry and facing acute challenges during this unprecedented time. The need faced by many families is far more serious now than it was in the summer and we are determined to do everything we can to support those who are most vulnerable.
“By partnering with NET and UK Community Foundations this funding can quickly go to work. Focusing on what really matters in local communities and providing direct support to those who most need it to make a difference to their health and wellbeing.”
HIWCF has awarded over £5 million in grants over the last 5 years to smaller community groups working at the grassroots level to help disadvantaged and vulnerable people. HIWCF has an in-depth understanding of the need in the local area and is extremely well placed to distribute funds to the local charitable sector. The Foundation has raised over £2.4m since lockdown began, to help those affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.
The funding is part of the Co-op’s sustainable food poverty program, and this new Co-op Food Fund is making £1.5 million available through the National Emergencies Trust to United Kingdom Community Foundations (UKCF) to support people across the country impacted by food poverty.
How about Co-op reduce prices across the board for everyone. Most expensive supermarkets on the island.
I love the Co-Op in Shanklin, the staff treat me like a human being. They help to pack my shopping for me and are always polite and pleasant.
Thank You Co-Op
IF, anyone ‘really’ wants to help ‘Child Poverty’ then give out free contraception to shoppers from puberty upwards.
But of course then they won’t get a free home, free council tax, be able to just work 20 hrs per week and claim tax credits making their wage higher than most other workers, for just doing half a week, and then claim free dentist, perscriptions etc etc etc