The Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation has given Belgrave Baheno Peepul Centre an emergency grant of £5,000 from the National Emergencies Trust, to provide healthy meals to local people struggling with the Covid 19 lockdown. 
The Peepul Centre estimate that they have helped 1000 people so far, delivering 600 meals per week to those who are disabled, elderly, isolated or shielding, predominantly Indian, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh households.
Sadly, the income that the Peepul Centre normally generates through facilities such as their restaurant, gym, and theatre have fallen to nothing due to the lockdown. However, the grant supported them to repurpose for the pandemic to help those most in need in the local community. For example, the restaurant has been adapted to process the food deliveries.
Mr Nash Chatralia, the Business Development Manager at the Peepul Centre said: “We have received so many messages of gratitude! “Thank You” notes arrive via social media along with letters of appreciation from people. many of whom say they feel they would be at risk without the meals service.”
Katy Green, CEO of the LRCF said: “We secured almost £700k in emergency funding that we have distributed throughout Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown. The money comes from the National Emergencies Trust, as well as from local companies and families. We are so pleased that the Peepul Centre has been able to help those in need: a fantastic example of how local voluntary organisations can impact society in a hugely positive way.”
