Volunteers at a community centre have been providing hundreds of hot meals to vulnerable people in Brinsworth, thanks to lottery funding.
Brinsworth Parish Council was awarded £47,000 by The National Lottery Community Fund in January.
They have created the Brinsworth Residents In Crisis Project (BRICS) to deliver meals on wheels to residents near their community centre from Monday to Friday until March.
Retired army veteran, Cheryl Jones, 55, trustee of Brinsworth Community Trust and parish councillor, leads the project.
She said: “We had been working really hard with it. After applying, it was the anticipation of waiting, and we truly believed we didn’t get it.
“But then, we got the email we’d been successful, and that was just the most magical moment. You just think, oh, my god. We’re going to be helping people for three months.”
The project involves 16 adult volunteers and children from local schools, such as Springwell Academy in Barnsley, who help to deliver up to 230 meals a week to approximately 50 people.
Cheryl added: “We got the money on the Thursday and we started on the Monday.
“When we go out, it’s meeting and greeting and a lot of people are lonely and isolated, but once you get to know people, the best thing is the smile on their face when they see you.”
Kay Hollis, 57, Chairwoman for Brinsworth Parish Council, explained the project began in lockdown when they delivered hot food from charitable food donations, which inspired the council to apply for the funding.
One volunteer, Paul Flear, 63, said: “We’re extremely excited because the community has responded superbly. The actual feedback and response has been astounding.”
Peter Jenkinson, 37, clerk and returning finance officer, said: “What goes under the radar is the volunteers. Some of them here are actually those who we should be delivering to, but they actually want to come and help out. It’s what The Centre is here for. It’s bringing it together.”
The project will run until March, but Cheryl says her hope is for continue the deliveries for longer.
“We’re going to try and do it at a reduced price, not to make a profit, but still give it to people who need it.
“We turn up, we’re smiling and saying have a lovely day. To offer that at a reduced price, it shows people care. It’s community spirit and that’s what it’s about.”