Organisations across Tayside and Fife have received a slice of funding to boost community services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Scottish Government Supporting Communities Fund support includes £250,000 for Greener Kirkcaldy, with a total of more than £450,000 of help for Fife overall.
Perth and Kinross organisations will benefit to the tune of almost £200,000.
Angus received a single grant from the fund with £50,000 going to Voluntary Action Angus, which has led the co-ordination of a 1,300-strong volunteer army.
Across Scotland, the funding will help more than 250 community groups which act as anchors in bringing together charities, volunteers, social enterprises and the public sector to co-ordinate the local response and channel support where it is needed.
Greener Kirkcaldy was awarded just over £250,000, half of which is to be distributed to local charities including Kirkcaldy Foodbank and the Cottage Family Centre.
The remainder will support its emergency response projects, including food support in Kirkcaldy and energy top-ups and advice across Fife.
Suzy Goodsir, chief executive, said: “The Scottish Government is empowering communities to take action and the funding will allow us, and other charities in Kirkcaldy, to deliver vital services that people in our community really need to get them through this crisis.”
Food growing charity EATS Rosyth was awarded £68,400 after halting its usual activities to deliver food parcels.
Food project manager Karen Dorrat said: “Before we were awarded this grant we were limited to Inverkeithing and Rosyth areas. The grant has allowed us to expand that whole area.”
Deliveries are now being made in villages including North Queensferry, Aberdour, Limekilns the west Fife villages, where EATS Rosyth is working with local groups.
Perth-based charity PKVAS received £93,000 from the fund.
Paul Graham, chief executive, said: “This extremely welcome funding will be used to continue the fantastic work that is being delivered by PKAVS services, and our partners across the third sector, to support the people most in need during the coronavirus crisis.
“We will be able to increase contact and resources provided for those families and individuals who are most in need of help, such as unpaid carers of all ages, older people, people suffering from loneliness and anxiety, and those struggling to access the financial and social support they require during these difficult times.”
Scotland’s communities secretary, Aileen Campbell, said: “We know that community groups working in the heart of our communities and neighbourhoods have a wealth of experience in responding to challenges.
“This inspiring work that is already underway in our neighbourhoods is proving essential to our nation’s resilience.”
The fund was announced on March 18 as part of a £350 million package to help those most affected by the pandemic.
Up to £10 million is being made available in an initial tranche of support for community anchor organisations, and a further allocation of £10 million has been approved to support the second phase of the fund.
The list of recipient groups also includes Collydean Community Centre, Corra Foundation Buckhaven and Methil, Kincardine Community Association, Largo Communities Together, Ore Valley Housing Association, St Andrews Environmental Network, Letham4All, Alyth Development Trust and Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action.
