Christmas came early to several food banks across the county when they received generous donations from Cambridgeshire Freemasons.
Cambridgeshire Freemasons 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.
The Foodbanks
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.
Thank You
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.
