Mark Pawsey MP is encouraging charities and community groups in Rugby to apply for a share of a new £100,000 funding pot being offered by Tesco to mark its Centenary year.
Mr Pawsey paid a visit to Tesco’s Rugby Superstore to learn about the Centenary Bags of Help Grants. Community organisations from across Warwickshire are being invited to apply now to share in the funding in a special round of voting in Tesco stores, which launches in November.
Bags of Help, run in partnership with community charity Groundwork, sees funding given to thousands of local community projects every year. In Rugby, Bags of Help has awarded £144,000 to local projects so far.
Applications are open to all community projects across the region bringing local benefits, with Tesco colleagues involved in shortlisting three applications in each area. Customers are then invited to vote for which group they’d like to receive grants of £25,000, £15,000 and £10,000, casting their votes using blue tokens handed out at checkouts.
The funding will reach over 30 regions, with an incredible £3.3m up for grabs across the country. In addition to the funding available from Centenary Bags of Help Grants, Tesco also runs the Community Food Connection, where charities can receive free food – not sold at the store – at the end of the working day. Charities are encouraged to get in touch with Tesco to learn more.
Mark commented:
“The Tesco Centenary funding is a really great boost for charities and community organisations across Rugby and Bulkington. I hope to see lots of local groups apply for the chance to secure a share of the £100,000 funding in November. Anyone can suggest a project for the Bags of Help Centenary fund, so if you know of a local charity or community group that could benefit, you can visit Tesco’s website to make a nomination.”
Alec Brown, Tesco’s Head of Community, added:
“In 2019 we are celebrating a century of delivering great value for our customers. And what better way to celebrate this occasion than by using our flagship Bags of Help scheme to support even more groups and organisations who are helping to make a difference across Britain.”
Anyone can nominate a project for both a normal Bags of Help Grant and organisations and groups looking to find out more or apply can visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp.