Two churches that provide community services, including food banks, have been given nearly £900,000 in Welsh Government cash.
The Tabernacle Baptist Church in Newbridge was given £498,000 to renovate a room allowing it to establish a food bank and provide shelter for the homeless.
St Dingat’s Church in New Tredegar was given £400,000 for refurbishment, allowing it to continue as the home of the Rhymney Valley food bank.
The church also hosts a variety of local services, including the Citizens Advice Bureau, and housing benefit and social services teams.
The funding will enable the Church to accommodate even more community groups, develop a social enterprise selling crafts, flowers and food and allow 140 more people to use the building.
The funding is part of a £1.6 million boost for five community projects in Wales which was announced by Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister, Lesley Griffiths, on August 18.
The Community Facilities Programme provides capital grants to organisations to help lessen the effects of poverty.
Mrs Griffiths said: “I am delighted to announce this funding which is set to transform local facilities. These projects truly are the heart of their communities, providing a huge range of services from counselling and after school clubs, to food banks and advice services.
“The money will enable the projects to expand their work further, throwing open their doors to even more people in the local community.”