Winter grants keep local families warm

Local families are being kept warm this winter, thanks to a collaborative effort between several local agencies.

Fifeshire Foundation has introduced winter grants to go towards the cost of power bills and loads of firewood with the support of a $10,000 grant from Network Tasman Trust and a $5,000 donation from Whakatū Rotary Club.

Fifeshire Foundation chair, Peter Verstappen, says they have been able to support 70 families since the programme launched last month.

“It has been incredibly well received … we are pleased to be able to provide these grants to help local families that are struggling, to stay warm and dry this winter.”

The foundation has also partnered with Nelson Budget Service and has received donations through a Community Action Nelson initiative where people ‘pay it forward’ their Government Winter Energy Payment to those in need.

This initiative is now in its fourth year and encourages Nelson seniors to pass on their payment to those families for whom it would make a huge difference in getting through the cooler months.

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“It seems to us that there are a lot of retired people in Nelson for whom $40 is not a lot of money, while for many more families now with food prices climbing daily, some families and individuals it could mean the difference between buying the food they really need, running the heater or going cold,” says Penny Molnar from Community Action Nelson.

“Knowing how tough the daily expenses are now, we’re suggesting rather than declining the Winter Energy Payment, we’d love to see them pass it on to do some good right here in Nelson.”

The winter grants run until the end of August.

If you need  support or you’d like to donate to the programme, go to the Fifeshire Foundation website.

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