The West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity allocated a sum of money to each of the 19 Masonic groups to be donated to foodbanks throughout the Province. With the foodbank monies given to the South Eastern Group, it was decided to allocate a portion to each of the Masonic meeting places within the South Eastern Group area, to donate to foodbanks within their respective neighbourhoods.
One such meeting place is the Grange Club in Stockport and selected as beneficiary was the Chelwood Foodbank Plus, which is a foodbank situated in Edgeley that serves two of the most deprived and struggling areas within the Stockport community. Chelwood Foodbank Plus has been serving Stockport since 2013. They provide urgent practical support to local people. In the last 12 months, they issued 2,700 food parcels and supported 4,050 adults and 2,551 children. Everything they do is made possible by their team of wonderful volunteers.
By not being part of a large chain of foodbanks, it allows Chelwood Foodbank Plus is to deliver their service in a truly holistic manner. They can help those that need them the most, without the constriction of red tape and unrealistic administrative policies. Unfortunately, this also means that they do not receive food from supermarket chains that have signed agreements with large national charities. Thus, they are totally reliant on the support of their local community.
Nigel Paton from South Eastern Freemasons went to meet staff and they were extremely appreciative of the very kind donation of £500.