Freemasons from West Kent have made a series of Christmas grants to local foodbanks, bringing their contributions to foodbanks this year alone to around £3000.
Bexley Foodbank, Mottingham Foodbank, and Tunbridge Wells Nourish Foodbank have received £1000 each from West Kent Freemasons to help with the expected surge in demand over the festive season.
The grants to foodbanks in the Province of West Kent are expected to help around 100 families over the Christmas period.
Since the start of the pandemic, West Kent Freemasons have donated £5000 to local foodbanks, with grants to foodbanks across the country reaching £343,000.
In addition to money, many local Freemasons have given their time over lockdown to help out with distributing food and other essential supplies to those need. This is continuing over Christmas, with a number of West Kent Freemasons working with local foodbanks.
Foodbanks across England and Wales are predicting an unprecedented demand for their services this Christmas, following the upheavals of the pandemic, continuing supply chain problems and rising fuel bills.
The grant from West Kent Freemasons is financed jointly with the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
Mark Estaugh from West Kent Freemasons, said:
“I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Bexley Foodbank, Mottingham Foodbank, and Tunbridge Wells Nourish Foodbank with their hugely important work over the festive season.
“We were able to support them during the pandemic and we’re happy to help them again during what will be a very difficult Christmas for the most vulnerable people in our community.”
