A local community organisation has received a Grant from Henderson Group which will enable them to provide even more members of the local community with free meals.

Kilkeel Development Association has received £2,000 as part of the Community Cashback Grant launched by the retailer in response to the COVID-19 crisis. It is a share of £5,000 which will also be shared with Foyle Down Syndrome Trust, Crossroads Care NI Charitable Group and SHINE Autism Support Group.

Thousands of social media followers went online to cast their votes for the four organisations, all of which have had to pivot how they are responding to their service users during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Donna McConnell, CEO of Kilkeel Development Association said; “Since 1991, we have been working hard in our communities to boost Kilkeel’s socioeconomic credentials and due to world events, from global crashes to pandemics, there have been many setbacks. The Coronavirus pandemic is one that has completely knocked some of our residents and businesses off their feet, so we have had to adapt to ensure we are there for them in a way they really need us to be.

“Stage one includes ensuring local families get what they need at home, which includes free hot meals. We have delivered 180 meals, as well as 160 prescriptions since the lockdown began, and this Grant will allow us to deliver a further 1,000 meals to those who need them most. We’re also pleased to be able to co-ordinate the delivery of 500 food parcels from Newry and Mourne District Council via our volunteers – it just shows how much a service like this is needed right now.”

Henderson Group’s £20,000 Community Cashback Grant was launched recently to help community organisations through the crisis, donating a share of £5,000 per week to four local organisations.

Bronagh Luke, Head of Corporate Marketing for the Group which owns the SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO and ViVOXTRA brands in Northern Ireland added; “Our stores are part of every community in Northern Ireland, so it is vital that we reach out and do what we can in this unprecedented time.

“Kilkeel Development Association is a very worthy candidate for this week’s £2,000 Grant, while Foyle Down Syndrome Trust will receive £1,500, Crossroads Care NI will receive £1,000 and SHINE Autism Support Group will receive £500. They’re all doing essential work in our communities to make sure our vulnerable are getting the support and services they need, and we thank them for all they’re doing.”

There are two more weeks of the Community Cashback Grant initiative. Organisations can apply via the Henderson Group website, and finalists will be announced each Thursday via SPAR and EUROSPAR NI’s social media channels, with voting closing midnight on Sundays. Each Grant winner will be announced the following Monday.

To find out more, visit SPAR and EUROSPAR NI’s new Life at Home platform, which is packed full of community news, recipes, activities for kids at home, mindfulness practice and tips and blogs for hacks around the house.

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