Funding vital during 'challenging times' says food support charity
A charity that provides emergency cooked meals to vulnerable people in Swansea along with advice and other support says funding from Swansea Council has been vital in recent years.
Matthew's House on High Street has had help to equip its kitchen and with running its food programmes.
This year Swansea Council is providing its largest ever package of support with almost £650,000 to help and support for young people, families and older residents as part of the council's 'Here for you this winter' campaign to help those struggling with the cost of Christmas, school holidays or who are facing loneliness or isolation.
Applications are now open for charities, community groups and clubs to apply for grants if they are running any of the following schemes:
- Free food for pupils during the school Christmas and February half-term holidays.
- Swansea Spaces providing warm and welcoming places for people to socialise and take-part in activities.
- Direct Food Support via foodbanks and other community and charity initiatives tackling food poverty and food insecurity.
- Activities for young people and families at weekends and school holidays.
- Activities for older people during the winter.
Thom Lynch, Project Manager at Mathew's House said: "The funding is brilliant - it's a quick grant, which is really helpful during these challenging times.
"It's a difference of a few thousand pounds that has helped us communicate well and collaborate well with organisations, while also helping us to continue providing our services.
"We offer advice services on Mondays and Tuesdays alongside our provision of emergency cooked meals for vulnerable people, and this year our service users have increased by 30 per cent.
"The grant has helped us bridge that gap while continuing to provide a quality service.
"There are other incredible groups out there that need this kind of funding too to support the people who really need it."
Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart said: "Thom and the team at Matthew's House do amazing work supporting vulnerable and ensuring they have hot meals and somewhere to go.
"This winter we are making more funding than ever available to charities and organisation's like Matthew's House so they can continue and expand the great work they do."
Organisation can apply by visiting: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/winterwellbeinggrant
The deadline to apply is Wednesday November 20.
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