Nearly $9 million has been given to critical social services groups under severe financial pressure, says Tauranga MP Simon Bridges.

Nationally, 164 critical social services groups have been granted funding after the first round of the Community Response Fund.
Of those, 6 groups in Tauranga will receive a total of $245,000.
They are: Tauranga Living Without Violence $ 50,000.00, Stroke Foundation Midland Region $ 25,000, Tauranga Women's Refuge $ 50,000, Beachhaven Community House $ 20,000, Autism NZ – BOP $ 50,000, Presbyterian Support - Western Bay $50,000.
The Fund was set up in May to assist groups providing vital social services which are under severe financial strain or experiencing increased demand during the recession. Up to $104 million is being made available over two years.
Many of the groups say a reduction in their income from investments or philanthropic organisations is their primary reason for applying to the fund.
'This tells us the economic downturn is starting to have a real effect on families and the organisations out there helping to support them,” says Simon. 'It underscores the vital service these community organisations provide.”
The average amount granted in this funding round was $40, 995. Four national organisations successfully applied, including Women's Refuge, Barnados, Relationship Services and Cystic Fibrosis.
About thirty per cent of the applications are not currently receiving funding from the Ministry of Social Development.
'We've made sure the assessment process was fair, with significant community input into the decision about exactly which groups in our regions need the Fund's support the most,” says Simon.
Applications for the second round of the Community Response Fund close on September 25, 2009.