Feed the Need in Coalville has received a £5,000 award as part of a Central England Co-op fund.

Ten charities and good causes have shared £25,000 in a revamped Community Dividend Fund aimed at providing quick funding boosts to help those impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak.

And Feed The Need has had the payout to help support the new food bank to ensure its newly-acquired premises are safe, warm and COVID-19 secure Feed the Need operating from new Coalville base.

Founder Felicity Middleton said: "The grant will be used to renovate our premises in Coalville which we moved into at the beginning of January.

"We want to create a warm, safe and welcoming space where people can come to collect food parcels and receive support and advice with money problems.

"I don't know why we were the ones to be chosen, but I hope that our application showed that we were genuinely inspired and motivated to help the community that both relies on us and supports us through this most difficult time."

Feed the Need doing its bit to fight poverty in Coalville

Normally, grants from the fund are handed out four times a year to a wide range of organisations but, during the coming months, it has been decided to hand grants out on a monthly basis to support those suffering financial hardship due to the pandemic and others looking to step in to help those affected.

All applicants, regardless of their success, are all given Co-op vouchers to help support their great work in the community.

Jim Watts, Society Secretary, said: "In response to the current crisis, we made some changes to our Community Dividend Fund scheme to provide immediate financial support for local good causes, community groups and charities who are responding to some of the most worrying impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Community Dividend Fund grants showcase how by being a member and shopping at your local Central England Co-op store allows us as a Society to continue to invest and fund vital projects in the area – especially during uncertain times like these.

"We are delighted to have been able to support these amazing causes and help them make a difference in our communities."

To apply, members will need: name, address, membership number, organisation type, organisation bank account or constitution and to explain what the group does, how the grant will be spent and the specific impact it will have related to COVID-19.

People can find out the full criteria and how to apply for funding by clicking HERE.