The Scottish Government’s Cash-First Fund is seeking applications from organisations at the frontline of helping people facing poverty and hardship. Community food initiatives, local authority teams, and money advice services are all invited to apply.

The £1.6 million fund is aimed at public and third sector partnerships to deliver cash grants for food and other essentials, helping to reduce the need for food parcels.

The successful applicants will receive up to £200,000 over two years to deliver activities that improve urgent local access to cash in a crisis.

Public and third sector organisations are invited to apply to the Cash-First Fund by 5pm on Friday 1 September.

Commenting, Natalie Don, MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, said:

“Taking a cash-first approach to tackling food insecurity ensures that people can maintain their dignity whilst accessing support. When this is delivered collaboratively, with advice and assistance to strengthen people’s income, it can also help prevent future hardship.

“Local public and third sector services in Renfrewshire know the community best and are well-placed to support households in crisis, so I encourage any organisation which fits the criteria to apply for the Cash-First Fund before the deadline.

“Tackling poverty is a priority for the Scottish Government, highlighted by the fact that Scotland is the first nation in the UK to publish a plan towards ending the need for food banks.

“Measures such as this are vital steps forward in achieving this goal, and I am hopeful that one day, we will live in a Scotland where no one needs to use food banks.”

NOTES

Cash-First Fund form and guidance: https://www.gov.scot/publications/cash-first-fund-form-and-guidance/

Cash-First: Towards Ending the Need for Food Banks in Scotland Plan: https://www.gov.scot/publications/cash-first-towards-ending-need-food-banks-scotland/