£540,000 grant to help feed vulnerable

County council has been handed the cash by the Government

FOOD banks and community groups across the county can benefit from a fresh Government funding pot.

Leicestershire County Council is using a £540,000 Government grant to help vulnerable people and those shielding to access food, toiletries, and other essential supplies through food banks and community hubs.

The money will also bolster the work of voluntary groups, supporting vulnerable people and those self-isolating.

Officers from the county and district councils will be contacting food banks and voluntary groups directly.

Nick Rushton, county council leader, said: “This extra money is very welcome. It allows us to offer people a helping hand by supporting community food banks many rely on.

“Times are still tough, particularly for those still in extended lockdown.

“Supporting vulnerable people remains top of our list and this latest announcement builds on a number of successful initiatives which we’ve already launched. the that

“Our staff have worked round-the-clock throughout the pandemic and are continuing to, to ensure people have the care, food and medicine they need.”

The £540,000 has been awarded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), from its Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grant for Food and

Essential Supplies fund.

During the Covid-19 crisis, the county council has also set up a £1.5 million fund to support communities through hospices and homelessness services and other charities.

The authority has also invested an extra £100,000 into the fund to bolster support in extended lockdown areas and created a £750,000 fund to support small businesses.

A dedicated team has been set up to ensure the 25,000 people identified as ‘shielded’ by the NHS have support and care in place.

For the latest information about the coronavirus criss, visit the Leicestershire County Council website or follow the authority on Twitter at @LeicsCountyHall.