Every year, the brethren of Blackpool Group organise a food bank appeal with food and other items being deposited at Blackpool Masonic Hall. Once it is all collated, the donations are taken to the warehouse of the Blackpool Food Bank, officially known as The Big Food Project.
The Big Food Project is the vital logistics hub which supplies food and essentials to over 120 partner groups and food banks across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. Helping to keep food being delivered to those who need it most. The Big Food Project’s journey all started around a humble kitchen table, where a group of friends gathered with a shared idea to make a difference to the lives of those in need.
What began as a simple vision quickly grew into something much bigger. It began as a small initiative at Blackpool Food Bank in 2012, driven by a simple yet powerful goal: to ensure that no one in the Blackpool, Fylde, and Wyre area goes hungry. Over time, that goal has expanded. Today, The Big Food Project is a collaborative effort, bringing together over 120 local organisations, all dedicated to addressing food insecurity in the area.
Each year, an astonishing £14,000,000,000 worth of food is wasted in the UK, yet 1,000s of families face the stark reality of hunger. In Lancashire alone, just 1% of food wasted could provide meals for 98,000 people. The Big Food Project works tirelessly to change that, redirecting surplus, edible food from local food manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and individuals to those who need it most.
Since launching in 2012, Blackpool Food Bank has grown into a vital lifeline across Blackpool, Fylde, and Wyre, distributing over 353 tonnes of food in the past year alone. With rising living costs and soaring energy prices, more people are facing food insecurity and uncertainty. With many families facing the harsh reality of hunger every single day. Above all, at The Big Food Project, they believe that no one should have to choose between heating their home and feeding their family. As a result, the food bank ensure that surplus food reaches those who need it most.
Blackpool Group Chairman Stephen Jelly (with his grandson Max), group vice chairman and regional charity steward Bob Marsden, group charity steward Neil Higgins and Blackpool Masonic Hall Chairman Colin Goodwin, representing Blackpool Freemasons, recently delivered over 300 items of food and other items to the food bank warehouse.
In addition, they presented a cheque for £3,400 to the food bank warehouse coordinator Jackie Knight and warehouse manager Jim Downer on behalf of the Freemasons of Blackpool. With additional generous donations from Clifton Lodge No 703 and Emblem Lodge No 6727 totalling £1,200, bringing the total amount of money donated to an incredible £4,600.
Chief executive of the Big Food Project, Claire Powell said that as well as food donations, rising costs mean that cash is just as valuable. A crisis bag of food currently costs around £30, and at this time of year the food bank gives out about 100 of the food bags every week to families in desperate need. This contribution goes a long way to helping provide essential meals and support to those who need it the most.
Claire went on to say that behind every tin, every packet and every £1, is a message of hope. This isn’t just a donation; it’s proof that kindness matters and that our community stands strong when we support each other. Claire gave a huge thank you to everyone in the Blackpool Group who helped to make this possible. The generosity of local Freemasons truly makes a difference.
