September was a busy month here at Positive Community Action (PCA). Alongside our usual services, we helped hundreds of people through the Household Support Fund 4 (HSF4) e-voucher scheme. This government initiative, in partnership with Wiltshire Council, aims to assist households struggling to buy food, pay essential utility bills, or meet other living costs during the current cost-of-living challenges. While it’s unfortunate that such schemes are necessary in this modern age, the recipients are very grateful for the extra support they receive.
Additionally, we supported 16 households, feeding 47 people, through our Pantry Packs. These packs, part of our Basic Universal Resource Plan (BURP) initiative, consist of non-perishable food items and sanitary products.
At PCA, we believe everyone should have access to basic resources without worrying about their next bill payment. Our Pantry Packs help alleviate some of the stress caused by ever-increasing bills.
With a rise in households applying for help, we are looking for extra volunteers to join our BURP team. Volunteers will assist in assessing needs and making up the packs. Successful applicants will need a DBS check, which we will provide. To volunteer, sign up here, and someone will get back to you.
If you need help, you can apply here.
We also saved over 50 trays of food from going to waste, including a significant amount of frozen food from Lidl as they cleared seasonal lines. Our volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure this food was stored correctly and distributed within our communities.
With grant funding, we replenished our stocks, helping 252 households and planning to assist over 250 more in the coming months.
Most of our BURP supplies come from customer donations at Pewsey Co-op and Devizes Lidl. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our donors on behalf of our recipients. Your help truly makes a difference in people’s lives.
Together Mighty…
