Community Food Groups across ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute have benefitted from a share of £57,453 after councillors agreed to provide them with unspent monies from the Scottish Government’s LACER Fund (Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery).
The funding arose after Miconex, the company that administers the Scotland Loves Local Scheme, refunded the council on unspent Scotland Loves Local gift cards that were distributed to households in receipt of Council Tax reduction during COVID but were never activated.
A delegation of councillors, made up of the council leader, depute leader, and the leader of the largest opposition group, agreed to distribute the remaining funds to the following organisations:
- Islay Foodbank - £5,203 (This included a core award of £4,750 and an additional £473 to be given to Jura Foodbank
- Hope Kitchen Oban - £4,750
- Inveraray Food Share £4,750
- Bute Oasis £4,750
- Hub Grub Hub, Dunoon £4,750
- Helensburgh Foodbank £4,750
- Jean’s Bothy Helensburgh £4,750
- Tarbert Soup Group £4,750
- Kintyre Foodbank £4,750
- Tiree Foodbank £4,750
- Moving On Mid ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ £4,750
- Mull and Iona Community Trust Pantry £4,750
Council Leader Jim Lynch, said: “Community Food Groups play a pivotal role in our society and this funding will help them to continue to provide essential supplies to those who require it. Increased living costs are affecting everyone and many residents are struggling.
“Help and support is available though. The council website has dedicated money advice pages with lots of resources and useful information including how to save on your energy bills, tips on how to feed your family for less, as well as a handy budget calculator. Visit to find out more.â€