Thousands of pounds have been awarded to an umbrella community group that means vital food projects in Wem will be funded throughout the winter.

Wem Store Cupboard Group was awarded £4,000 from the National Lottery Coronavirus Community Fund, which will enable the group to develop the work it started at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic to provide food support to residents.

The group is comprised of several organisations and individuals from the town including Wem Eating Well Project, Foodbank Volunteers, Wem Youth Club, Wem Town Council and Incredible Edible

Since the start of the pandemic the group has worked together to provide food parcels to those most in need of help as well as hot meals and ready meals.

The grant will be used to enable the group to continue to provide this support over the winter period as well as helping the group to develop more food related projects including running a pilot meals on wheels project which will be launched later in the year.

Chris Mellings, a Shropshire councillor for Wem and a representative of the group, said the group was thankful to the National Lottery.

He said: “It’s great news we have been awarded this grant from the National Lottery.

"The grant will enable us to make a real difference to support local people at such a difficult time.

"We know from our work over the past few months there are many people who need food support in our community and this is only going to be more difficult as we head into winter.

"Details of how people can access food support through this project will be published shortly.”

For more information of the project contact Penny O’Hagan, town clerk, on 01939 232733