Christmas came early to several food banks across the county when they received generous donations from Cambridgeshire Freemasons, who have donated £16,000 to those in need over the Festive Season. Foodbanks across the whole country are predicting a high demand for their services again this Christmas, following rising fuel bills and increases in the cost of living. The donations will help six food banks across Cambridgeshire during the Christmas period and follow similar donations in 2021.
Masonic Lodges in March, Ely, Cambridge, Wisbech and Newmarket have contributed with fund matching and additional support from the Province of Cambridgeshire Charity for Care and Relief and the national Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
Food Hubs, Foodbanks and Community Lunches who have benefitted from the donation this year include: The Rosmini Centre in Wisbech; Ely Foodbank; March Community Fridge; Ely Community Lunches; St. Andrews Church Food Hub in Cherry Hinton and Newmarket Open Door Food Hub.
Newmarket Open Door provides supported housing and new opportunities for homeless and vulnerable young people in the Newmarket and Mildenhall area. Inspired and founded by a local Churches Together initiative, they partner with others to prevent homelessness and create opportunities.
The Rosmini Centre provides support to local families and individuals in Wisbech and the surrounding area. The type of support provided is tailored to individual needs, so could be in the form of information, advice and guidance, food parcels, daily lunches, support groups, skills development and employment support, clothing, food vouchers, pre-loaded SIM cards and much more.
Commenting on the donation to the Rosmini Centre, Community Centre Manager Anita Grodkiewicz said “I would like to say a very big thank you for the grants we have received which we will use towards the collection and delivery of food to re-distribute to anyone who finds themselves in need or in crisis. The grant has been especially helpful at this time due to the high numbers of people who find themselves in need of support and who are currently accessing our services”.
During his visit to the St. Andrews Church Food Hub in Cherry Hinton, Mark Upex from Cambridgeshire Freemasons said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help foodbanks across the county with their hugely important work over the festive season. We were amazed at how much demand there was during our visit, with people from all walks of life queuing in the snow outside the church. To see first-hand how our donations are helping people shows how vital it is that we keep supporting our communities, not just at Christmas but throughout the whole year.”
This is the second year that Cambridgeshire Freemasons have supported foodbanks at Christmas, with other recent donations going to support children in A&E Departments via Teddies for Loving Care, the Muddy Boots Farm scheme at HighField Ely Academy, March in Bloom, Reach in Haverhill and Centre 33 in Cambridge.
Notes to Editors
Photographs (top to bottom) show donation being made in Ely, Cherry Hinton, Wisbech and Newmarket
About Cambridgeshire Freemasonry:
The Masonic Province of Cambridgeshire is relatively small, with Masonic Centres in Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket, March, Chatteris, Whittlesey and Wisbech. There are around 1500 Freemasons and 32 individual lodges. We pride ourselves on our friendliness and inclusivity, with members drawn from all walks of life and professional backgrounds. We welcome enquiries from anyone who is curious about our values and our history.
More information is available on our website and enquiries should be directed to our Provincial Office in Cambridge via https://www.cambridgeshirefreemasons.org.uk/
About the Province of Cambridgeshire Charity for Care and Relief:
The Charity is constituted by Deed of Trust and is a Registered Charity, number275991. The objects of the Charity are to dispense funds for the benefit of poor and distressed masons of the Province of Cambridgeshire, Masonic Charities, and for other charitable institutions, societies, or objects. For more information please contact our Secretary, George Brennan on 01354 694596 or to provgalm@pglcambs.org.uk
About the Masonic Charitable Foundation:
The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) is one of the largest grant-making charities in the country. Funded entirely through the generosity of Freemasons and their families, the MCF awards millions of pounds each year to local and national charities that help vulnerable people, advance medical research and provide opportunities for young people. The MCF also helps to fund vital services such as hospices and air ambulances and regularly contributes to worldwide appeals for disaster relief. In total, MCF support helps to improve the lives of thousands of people every year in England, Wales and internationally. As well as providing grants to charities, the MCF supports Freemasons and their families with a financial, health or family need. Visit www.mcf.org.uk For further information about the Masonic Charitable Foundation, please contact Guy Roberts, Press Officer (groberts@mcf.org.uk 0203 146 3311)
