An emergency grant of £3,800 from Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation’s Coronavirus Support Fund has helped The Hindu Ladies Association to support local families who are struggling with the effects of the pandemic.
Food parcels, shopping assistance and medicine deliveries have helped almost 650 beneficiaries who are mainly Asian and British Asian families – across Sikh, Hindu & Guajarati cultures – as well some Polish families and asylum seekers. These communities have been hard hit by the pandemic, with many struggling with loneliness and mental health as well as practical worries about feeding themselves and their families.
The Leicestershire and Rutland Coronavirus Support Fund is made up of money from public donations to the National Emergencies Trust that is quickly being delivering to local groups, as well as donations from companies and individuals who have kindly added to the Fund.
Rina Shah, Chairman of the Hindu Ladies Association said: “Thank you to the Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation. The Coronavirus Support Grant has enabled us to provide so much extra support for more people than we had first envisaged. Communities are grateful that the meals and food parcels arrive regularly which means they have one less thing to worry them.”
Whilst this is a very successful endeavour, there is undoubtedly concern for the future. Rina said: “Support will be needed for a long time to come. People do not always have stable employment and some will struggle to find work even when lockdown is lifted. I am also very concerned about my volunteers who have been helping since March. They’re getting tired and there is a great need to recruit more helpers. This will be harder as people start to return to work.”
Katy Green, CEO of the Community Foundation said: “The Hindu Ladies Association has helped so many people struggling to cope during the lockdown – and its extension here in Leicester. The funds provided by individual private donors and the National Emergencies Trust have helped us support this kind of great community spirit, so much part of keeping the local social fabric strong in the huge impact of the pandemic.”
