The Committee set up by Ventnor Town Council (VTC) to administer the Community Support Fund held its first meeting this week.
The meeting was chaired by Cllr Brian Lucas. The other members of the Committee are Cllr Phil Warren and independent members Leigh Geddes and Penny Cameron-Watt.
Fund now stands at £26,450
The Committee heard that the fund now stood at £26,450 and was keen to make funds available as quickly as possible to local organisations working to support those experiencing poverty.
The Committee were updated on activities of local groups by Community Development Officer, Tony McCarthy and Assistant Town Clerk, Alison Killick and decided to make an initial allocation as follows –
- £3,500 for Ventnor well-being Cafe to enable the cafe to operate for additional sessions and provide lunch to for its members on three days per week in the New Year. The group has grown dramatically and has nearly 90 members.
- £5,000 for Ventnor Community Foodbank which is experiencing high levels of demand. A high proportion of those seeking help from the Foodbank are working families with children, people with disabilities and long-term health conditions and those experiencing delays with benefit payments.
- £5,000 for Ventnor Community Pantry – which has had to cap its membership at 220 – and is providing food for over 100 families and individuals each week.
- £5,000 to Baby Box Isle of Wight to purchase nappies, baby milk and other essential supplies and to provide electricity and gas top-ups.
How to donate
Donations to the Fund are invited from residents and businesses and can be made by:
- Bank Transfer: to Ventnor Town Council, Sort Code 40-45-09, A/c No. 41366998
- Card: phone 01983 853775 or at our office: Salisbury Gardens, Dudley Road, Ventnor PO38 1EJ.
- Or donate online.
Lucas: They have a strong track record
Committee Chair Brian Lucas said,
“We are sure that these organisations will make the best use of the funds to really make a difference in our Town in the run up to Christmas. They have a strong track record of working to address issues of poverty in our Town.
“I would encourage residents and businesses to donate to the fund as donations to the fund will make a real and immediate difference to many local families and individuals.”
Get in touch
The Fund is for the support of front line organisations working to support people in Ventnor experiencing poverty.
Please contact Tony McCarthy, Community Development Officer on [email protected]
News shared by Tony on behalf of VTC. Ed
Image: alaur rahman under CC BY 2.0
