A county community group that dishes out cash to charities held its annual reception in Basingstoke last week and thanked people for their support.
More than 150 individuals and businesses attended the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation’s meeting at the Milestones Museum on October 19.
Over the past year the charity has handed out up to £500,000 to 300 voluntary groups in the county.
One of the groups was The Hart Neighbourhood Centre on London Road, in Hook.
Centre manager Cheryl Edwards said: “The grant we received from the foundation has made it possible to create real jobs for young people.
“We have turned a grant of £10,000 into a business that delivers catering services to over 200 customers a week. It has enabled young people to train in a profession and to look to the future with hope.”
And Toni Shaw, the foundation’s chief executive, said: “We endeavour to reach out to some of the most disadvantaged people in our county and our focus is on supporting the very small charities.”
