Kent Community Foundation emergency cash fund gives £175,000 in grants to foodbanks and food projects

Two years worth of charitable money has had to be spent in just over a month to help feed struggling families in Kent and Medway.

Kent Community Foundation has revealed it has injected £175,000 into food distribution projects as the financial effects of the coronavirus have a massive financial impact on households across the county.

The organisation, which distributes grants and supports charities and voluntary organisations, says in the course of a year it would normally award around £50,000 to support food distribution services such as food banks and about £40,000 to cookery and projects promoting healthy eating.

But as the global pandemic places untold stress and pressure on family budgets the organisation has stepped in with money from an emergency fund - giving out what it would normally spend in two years in little over 40 days.

And it is not the first funding stream KCF has launched for struggling cash-strapped families. An Emergency Hardship Fund to support those caring for a child with complex needs has also been launched since lockdown began.

Staff at KCF describe the situation as being like a 'perfect storm' as the pandemic results in people needing more charitable help and support at a time when those organisations are struggling to fundraise or finding it hard to even run their services because of social distancing restrictions or a lack of volunteers as individuals self-isolate.

There are fewer donations being made to foodbanks but demand is higher as families struggle to make ends meet
There are fewer donations being made to foodbanks but demand is higher as families struggle to make ends meet

In the case of foodbanks - donations of food are down, fundraising has almost ground to a halt but demand is higher whilst running costs such as petrol are also increasing as volunteers switch from allowing families to collect food to delivery. The Trussel Trust said just last week that it was experiencing an 80% increase in demand at some Kent foodbanks since lockdown began.

KCF says it is attempting to turn around money for organisations needing emergency cash in roughly two weeks, compared to the normal three to six months.

Any organisation from foodbanks to smaller food distribution projects such as those run through schools, churches or other charities can apply for financial support with grants of up to £10,000 available.

Natalie Smith, director of grants and Impact at KCF said: "Income for organisations is down significantly. The money can be spent as they need. It's a short form and we are turning them around very quickly."

Food distribution projects or any charity requiring financial support is encouraged to get in touch with KCF via its website for advice and to see if they qualify.

For more family-related news visit www.mykentfamily.co.uk

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