Nine Community Groups get Funding to Provide Essential Supplies

In March 2021 the Council received almost £100K from the Department for Communities (DfC) under the Covid-19 Food and Essential Supplies Transition Fund. This was to help set up a more viable way to address food poverty, where some individuals and households are unable to maintain a nutritious diet. Since then, Council have welcomed almost £100K further from the DfC to expand on this programme.

Under this programme, it is proposed to make an additional nine direct awards of £3K each to the community and voluntary groups who are currently involved in the programme. The remaining funds will be used to develop a wraparound service to provide advice on debts, benefits, budgeting, healthy eating, housing, education and training to enhance employability skills.

The nine groups that will receive this funding are;

· Monkstown Community Association

· Women’s Aid

· Listening Ear

· Oasis Antrim 19

· Community Relations Forum

· TIDAL

· 1st Randalstown Presbyterian Church – The Jam Store

· A Safe Space To Be Me

· Whiteabbey Community Group

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Billy Webb said;

“These nine groups have already been addressing food poverty within their own communities. I am delighted with the progress they have made so far and pleased that we can offer them this additional funding to help them to carry on the great work they have been doing. It is also great that we can extend on this programme by offering advice and support to our residents on a variety of different and sometimes difficult subjects”.

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