The Isle of Wight Community Rail Partnership has been given a helping hand thanks to a £42,800 grant from the Isle of Wight Council’s connect4communities programme, which previously awarded a £66,000 grant at the start of the pandemic.
This extra funding will allow The Gaslight Cafe at Sandown railway station to continue to serve free hot meals twice a week and provide a weekly delivery of fresh and non-perishable groceries to vulnerable families in the Bay area.
With the cost of living rising and increased energy bills, the funding will ensure the cafe’s ‘Food on the Move’ initiative can continue to run over the winter months.
Lock: Thrilled to receive this additional funding
Community rail manager, Bobby Lock, said,
“We are thrilled to receive this additional funding from the council.
“It means Ali Smith, manager of The Gaslight cafe, along with her dedicated volunteers, can continue to support vulnerable families with their ‘Food on the Move’ initiative.
“This includes now being able to provide free hot meals, two afternoons a week at The Gaslight Cafe so we can help tackle loneliness and can also continue the delivery of food packages to local families.
“This support is so important for our vulnerable local families at what is a worrying time for them, as we head into a difficult winter.”
Set up at start of pandemic
Food on the Move was originally set up in March 2020 at the start of the Covid pandemic to deliver hot meals for isolated elderly people and vulnerable families.
To date, more than 50,000 hot free meals have been served up and thousands of families have benefited from weekly food deliveries.
Ali recently received a special recognition award at the Community Rail Partnership Showcase in Southampton, for going above and beyond with her dedication to tackling social isolation and poverty in the Bay area.
Hales: Well-used and needed service
Laura Hales, the council’s connect4communities project manager, said,
“‘Food on the Move’ is a well-used and needed service in the local community and it’s great to see the additional funding is helping those that need it.”
Andre: It is making a real difference to people’s lives
Cllr Debbie Andre, Cabinet member for children’s services, said,
“Through our connect4communities project, we have been able to support such schemes as ‘Food on the Move’ and enabled them to continue to provide such a lifeline service that residents have come to rely on.
“This is a wonderful programme, not only helping to provide hot meals and distribute food to people who need it, but tackling social isolation with a friendly face and a chat.
“Well done to everyone involved in this project; it is making a real difference to people’s lives.”
Find out more
The spring/summer 2022 connect4communities community grants have been allocated to community, charity and voluntary organisations as well as some town, parish and community councils that can support local initiatives tailored to local needs.
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News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
