More than $612,000 was awarded to 66 grassroots projects and initiatives across the region, including Wagga's Meals on Wheels service.

The group's current vice president John Craig said their $10,359 grant would be put to good use.

"We have a very aged vehicle which has become too high and too large to be used by a lot of our volunteers," he said.

The 1998 model vehicle will be replaced with a "smaller van, which will allow for easy access, refrigerated service and more efficiency," according to Mr Craig.

The Meals on Wheels volunteer said it was inspiring to see local funding be funneled back into local people.

"Last year, we served 31,000 meals to 290 clients," Mr Craig said.

"It seems really appropriate that the funding be used locally and be of great benefit to not only our volunteers but the clients as well."

Residents in Wagga, Lockhart Shire, Greater Hume and Federation councils will all share in the benefits of Riverina Water's second annual Community Grants Program.

Riverina Water Chairperson Greg Verdon said the grants program provided welcome relief for many community groups and clubs after a difficult year.

"This was only our second year of the grants program and applications almost doubled from 2019," he said.

The diverse range of projects funded this year include establishing a community gym at Urana, a water tower mural in Walla Walla, a short film about floating down the river at Wagga, revitalising a 100-year-old hall in Urangeline and more.

Thee program will also support initiatives involving the Yazidi and Burmese communities, a number of projects celebrating First Nations culture and a range of works to improving accessibility at community buildings.

"Our program allocates funding to each of the four councils we supply drinking water to across three categories - Community Projects & Facilities, Water Conservation and Arts & Culture," Councillor Verdon said.

The local government water utility will be continuing its Community Grants Program in the 2021/22 financial year.