COMMUNITY projects in Stourbridge could receive a cash injection after a supermarket giant launched its ‘Bags of Help’ initiative.

The town’s Tesco store has teamed up with Groundwork West Midlands to launch the monthly roll-out of its funding scheme, which sees grants of up to £4,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to local schemes.

The Bags of Help initiative has already helped people in the area, with mental health charity Dudley Mind being able to renovate a glasshouse in Wollescote’s Stevens Park to use it as a teaching and growing space aimed at improving volunteer’s health and mental wellbeing.

Three group will be awarded grants every other month, with customers having the chance to vote with a token given to them at the check-out every time they shop.

The initiative has already seen more than £28.5 million to over 4,000 projects up and down the UK, and the supermarket is now calling on community groups in the area to put themselves forward for a grant.

Francesca Jarvis-rouse, Bags of Help enabler at Groundwork West Midlands, said: “Bags of Help has already made an incredible difference to local projects and groups across the UK and we are incredibly proud to have been involved in delivering this amazing initiative.

“The new extended criteria will see even more groups benefit from Bags of Help grants, which is why we’re encouraging groups in Stourbridge to make sure they come forward and apply in order to benefit from this fantastic opportunity.”

For more information, or to apply for funding, ask a staff member in store for or visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp