L to R: Br Iain Raymond, Charity Steward, Anna Marie, Unit Manager, W. Bro Steve Larkin Prov GStdB
Two members of Bedfont Lodge No 8381, Brother Iain Raymond and W. Bro Steve Larkin presented a cheque for £500 to the Stanwell Food Bank on Friday May 5th as part of the MPRF’s release of funds for Lodges in the Province to donate locally. It is now common fact that Food Banks are essential to help those who are hungry and with the incessant rise in grocery prices to ensure that those in most need are provided for.
The Stanwell Food Bank web site sums up their work succinctly, “Stanwell Foodbank was established in September 2018. After speaking with the community from our sister charity, Stanwell Events, we became aware that households were in need of additional support accessing food. After a couple of months research, looking at various foodbanks and projects in the Borough, we felt the model that would suit our community, would be one run by the community. Since September 2018, we have gone from being a not-for-profit foodbank to a registered charity”.
Stanwell Food Bank has delivered over 450,000 meals locally to date and with the help of the new building, it will be here to serve the community well in the future. There are many exciting projects that Stanwell Events and Stanwell Foodbank would love to bring to the community. These include: a Community Teaching Kitchen, Food Bank Support, Youth Access and Workshops, After School Hub and a Homework Hub (with access with laptops and printers). Indeed, more than meets the eye.
Bro Raymond remarked that the Unit Manager, Anna Marie does a fantastic job of running the Food bank and took time out of her very busy day to show the visitors around the Food bank, meet some of the volunteers and give an outline of how it all works for the local community. Also present on our visit was W Bro Fr. John Hillman ProvAGChap, PPrGSuptWks, LGR, also a member of Bedfont Lodge, who just happens to be a local Minister in the Stanwell community at the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, and Lodge Chaplain for good measure.
See also: http://www.stanwellfoodbank.org.uk/
