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Welfare Minister Paula Bennett - Source: ONE News -
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Community groups in quake-hit Canterbury will be able to draw on a special $7.5 million fund announced today.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said the Community Response Fund would help social service providers in Canterbury.
There was left over money in the fund so the government decided to open a special round for Christchurch community groups.
"Canterbury's community organisations are doing a great job in incredibly difficult circumstances. But they can only do so much with the resources they have," Bennett said.
"We want to ensure that these groups can continue to provide vital social services and cope with increased demand."
The fund would provide one-off grants of between $5000 and $10,000 to community-based social services in the region.
Some of the funding would help the organisations until their insurance could be paid out.
"They've had damage themselves and might not have the facilities to actually be able to help people, some of it is to bring in extra staff, some of it is to buy food, I imagine, so that they can give out food parcels, blankets, things like that," Bennett said.
Funding could be extended to new providers as long as they are earthquake-related and focused on the well-being of the community.
It would be available for health and low-level mental health organisations for the first time rather than solely welfare providers.
Bennett said related administration would be reduced.
"The fund is expected to be available from Monday.
"The well-being of Canterbury residents is a priority for this government. This additional funding will help ensure they are getting the support they need."
Bennett said the fund was pre-empting needs.
"You just have to be on the ground like I was to see some of the work that these amazing organisations are doing and some of them need some sort of assistance."
