Local charity Cfine has distributed the equivalent of 120,000 meals to 68 community food members across the city as well as providing 300 free memberships for community pantries through the cost of living funding, members of the Council’s Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee heard today.
On the 31 August 2022, £1m was allocated to Community Food Customer Initiatives North East (Cfine), Scottish Welfare Fund (SWF), SCARF, ABZ Works and the Financial Inclusion Team (FIT) to help alleviate the impact of the cost of living crisis we are currently facing.
Additionally, Cfine have spent all funds allocated for Support, Advice, Finance and Advice (SAFE) team advice, which has been key in providing support and information on welfare and benefits, a service which has seen a significant increase in demand.
In March, the Council’s Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee visited Cfine as part of a programme of visits to key organisations. The visit involved a tour of operations where committee members met with volunteers and staff, including members of the SAFE team.
Different funding streams include £430,000 allocated for food procurement and the development of pantries, £100,000 to alleviate fuel poverty, another £100,000 to support 100 lone parent families with employment, and £45,000 to insulate 500 Aberdeen homes.
Committee convener Councillor Christian Allard said: “I am pleased to see the positive impact the Cost of Living Fund is having on our communities across Aberdeen. These figures highlight the importance of this fund to help tackle poverty in our city as well as the importance of working with many partners to identify and support families.
"Anyone living in Aberdeen City, can call our benefits and money advice team. I urge people to consider applying for the additional help and support we are funding across the city, and everyone to promote the help that is available."
Committee vice-convener Councillor Desmond Bouse said: “It is great to see the progress being made to support families through access to food and help with increasing fuel costs, as well as providing money advice and information on topics such as fuel bills and employability opportunities.”
SCARF have supported 993 households with fuel bills and made 390 home visits to deliver insulation and energy efficiency measures. Additionally, 374 lone parents and 619 families with children have been supported through the programme.
ABZ Works is currently supporting 32 lone parents, the majority of which are female, through this fund, which is used to support with the costs of childcare, work clothes and working equipment as well as rent deposits to help remove financial barriers which prevent parents from entering the workplace.