Western Australian charities Foodbank and Anglicare will benefit from more than $420,000 over the next year thanks to a helping hand from the Alcoa Foundation.
The funding boost will help the charities continue to provide support services for things like mental health, accommodation, dealing with domestic violence, and financial and family counselling.
Alcoa Australia president Michael Gollschewski said while the immediate health impacts associated with the pandemic were starting to ease, the economic and social ramifications would linger.
"We've heard from local groups and leaders that people across our host communities are hurting and will be some for time," Michael said.
"Many have never had to ask for help before. We want to ensure that practical help and support is available in their local community so they can access it easily without delays or difficulties.
The Anglicare WA and Foodbank WA support programs will be provided to people living in communities closest to where Alcoa operates its two bauxite mines and three alumina refineries in Kwinana, Murray and Waroona as well as parts of the shires of Harvey and Serpentine-Jarrahdale.
Anglicare WA and Foodbank WA will partner with local organisations across these areas to understand need and deliver services and supplies as required.
Anglicare WA chief executive officer Mark Glasson said COVID-19 had created a new level of hardship in the community and many people in need of that help are unsure where to turn.
"As well as taking a financial toll, the crisis is affecting mental health and family relationships," he said.
"We will work with these communities to ensure the support services we provide are tailored to their needs and made accessible to anyone who needs them."
Foodbank WA chief executive officer Greg Hebble said hunger had been on the rise for some time.
"We know that there are growing number of people doing it particularly tough at the moment," he said.
"We're really excited to be collaborating with Alcoa, Anglicare WA and other local organisations to step up our emergency food relief efforts and provide essential food and groceries to those most in need."
These projects have been made possible through Alcoa Foundation's US$1 million pledge to help communities near where the company operates across the globe respond to challenges presented by the pandemic.
This is in addition to the funds the foundation already provides each year for environmental and community projects.
About $1.7 million in foundation funding has already been committed to other WA-based projects in 2020.
