COVID-19 Emergency Grant programme wraps up

In response to the pandemic last year, we established a COVID-19 Emergency Grant programme for whanau who were affected by the crisis. These grants were lower dollar grants and were only for food, power, or firewood. We were able to help many families who would not normally apply to us with nearly $33,000 in total aid under this programme.

We set up a dedicated sub-committee of Trustees who responded to applications every week, sometimes fast. Trustees rotated on and off the sub-committee throughout the year. Our normal application process continued throughout 2020 s well.

At the March 2021 Board meeting, the Trustees decided to wrap up this programme for now (we hope!) as it has served its purpose.

As at February 2021, we received 98 applications and approved 75%. The breakdown of support is as follows:

  • $12,550 for food

  • 34 loads of firewood worth $11,070 and

  • $6,138 in power assistance

That total is just under $30,000.  In addition, because we also assist organisations that help people in hardship or crisis, we approved a COVID-19 funding request of $3,000 for the Nelson Community Foodbank to go towards the purchase of food for the most vulnerable in the community.    

Shanine Hermsen