The Port of Dover Community Fund provides instant support to local charities in Dover caring for those in need during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The grant will enable Emmaus Dover to continue to work on the front line delivering food parcels to Dover’s homeless people and also deal with the drop in income for main activities such as housing, employment and support to the formerly homeless people who live at Emmaus Dover, known as companions.
The Port of Dover Community Fund donated a generous £40,000 to the Kent Community Foundation Coronavirus Emergency Fund. Thanks to the donation, the Kent Community Foundation were able to award grants of between £1,000 and £8,000 to ten good causes working within the Dover area.
Debbie Stevenson, Community Manager at Emmaus Dover, said:
“The coronavirus lockdown has had a devasting impact on Emmaus Dover as we have had to close down our three charity shops to keep the public, staff and our companions safe. However, despite our shops being closed, we’re doing all we can to keep our companions safe, supported and active. We are also continuing to support the wider community by delivering food parcels to the most vulnerable people across Dover.
“At Emmaus, we provide more than just a bed for the night but offer a home for as long as needed, the opportunity to gain work experience in our shops, and tailored support to help people rebuild their lives following homelessness.
“We currently support up to 27 people and our aim is to help them to rebuild the self-confidence that is often loss when a person becomes a homeless. The grant from the Port of Dover will help to ensure that we can continue to support our companions, as well as the wider community, during this difficult time.”
To support Emmaus Dover, please visit https://emmaus.org.uk/dover/support-us/coronavirus-emergency-appeal/