A SUPERMARKET has awarded £500 to a Shaftesbury charity, which is being used to provide vulnerable residents with food parcels.

Shaftesbury and District Carers Association, based in Longmead Industrial Estate, was granted the sum by Tesco, as part of its £2million Bags of Help Covid-19 Community Fund.

As its projects and services were halted in the wake of Covid-19, under the slogan HOPE, 'Helping Other People Evolve', the money has been used to help people who would usually receive support from the charity.

The food parcels were also offered to members of the wider community who are at a loss financially, or are self-isolating due to their age or medical conditions.

The packages consist of fresh food, tinned and dry goods, store cupboard items and household goods like toilet roll, toiletries and cleaning products.

Eileen Crew, founder of the Shaftesbury and District Carers Association, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has hit the most vulnerable in our communities hard, and we were determined to keep supporting them despite not being able to run our usual services.

“Being able to offer these parcels of essential items is making a massive difference to local people at this tough time, and is also keeping our volunteers busy and active.

“We would like to thank Tesco for supporting us to carry on our work, and would encourage other organisations to apply for help too.”

Tesco’s head of community Claire De Silva added: “There are so many people facing such uncertainty at the moment, so the Bags of Help grants we are able to provide will help ease the strain where it’s needed.”

Tesco has received more than 3,000 applications for grants of £500, which is part of a £30million package Tesco recently announced that aims to support as many groups as possible across the country through £500 cash boosts. Groups and charities can apply for a Tesco grant by visiting tescobagsofhelp.org.uk