Over the last few weeks Devonshire’s Freemasons Executive have presented £6,666 to each of Tavistock, Plymouth and Buckfastleigh’s Foodbanks.
£10,000 has been donated by Devonshire’s benevolent fund to match £10,000 from the National Masonic Charitable Foundation. And as they found out chatting to the Volunteers it’s a significant social problem, that’s getting worse and with little prospect of it getting better in the foreseeable future. Food banks operate on a voucher system, families being put forward for help by Citizens Advice Bureaus, Social Services etc
All these foodbanks are members of the Trussell Trust an organisation that strives to eradicate food poverty in the UK:
'In the UK, more than 14 million people are living in poverty – including 4.5 million children. We support more than 1,200 food bank centres in the UK to provide a minimum of three days’ nutritionally-balanced emergency food to people who have been referred in crisis, as well as support to help people resolve the crises they face. Between April 2019 and March 2020, food banks in our network provided a record 1.9 million food supplies to people in crisis, an 18% increase on the previous year and during the coronavirus pandemic food banks have seen need rise even further”'.
Tavistock Foodbank
Located in the United Reform Church in Tavistock, the foodbank and it’s cafe are a vital hub for many in the Town. Running since 2012 it currently supports 23 families (which can be from 1 to 9 people) with a basic 3 days of food a week, and that equates to around 7 Tonnes of food ! Figures for 2021/22 are 647 3-day food parcels issued. And in common with the other food banks there's demand for all the other items of living such as Nappies, milk, fresh vegetables, Toilet rolls etc.
Reverend Robert Weston (Acting Chair Tavistock foodbank and United Reformed Minister):
'Tavistock Foodbank is run entirely by volunteers and relies on donations of food and financial support from the local community. We have been in operation as a Trussell Trust Foodbank since 2012 and have seen a dramatic increase in demand for food parcels over the years. The Tavistock Foodbank is able to support clients in and around Tavistock with advice provided by Citizens’ Advice and fuel vouchers for those households on prepayment meters. On average we are currently supporting twenty households a week, some of these will be families with children, others will be individuals. Your generous donation of over £6000 will cover our running costs for about 4 months, which will enable the provision of food parcels, advice and support for over 350 households.'
Tavistock Foodbank client:
'I am overwhelmed by the kindness and sincerity of all of those who have helped me and I will be forever grateful.'
W Bro Reuben Ayres (Provincial Charity Steward):
'Food poverty is everywhere, it’s not just an inner city problem. Pretty moorland Towns like Tavistock have significant social need as well. We hope that the money donated will assist the Foodbank in relieving some of that suffering.'
Plymouth Foodbank
They are a community project established in 2008 working to serve the community and fight poverty, the Plymouth Foodbank is helping people who are in financial crisis by providing them with much needed food and also a listening ear and useful advice. Services that are on offer at the centre Budgeting Help and Money Advice. They can help you to organise your money, communicate with bailiffs and creditors as well as looking at your day to day budgeting.
Advice and Support Support with form filling, liaising with other agencies, a listening ear and prayer can all be offered at the centre.
Training and Education There is a full training programme available weekly. They provide IT Training, Art Therapy, Cooking Sessions, Job Club, Literacy and Numeracy Lessons.
Community Internet Cafe, Free use of computers with a small charge for printing.
People helped in the 2020/21 year? a staggering 7285.
Maria Mills MBE project manager :
'Currently Plymouth Foodbank is experiencing our highest demand since we opened our doors fourteen years ago. Sadly this has coincided with a decline in donations which we think is directly related to the cost of living crisis. This has meant that every week we are spending between 1.5 and 2.0 thousand pounds to top up our shelves and make sure that everyone who needs us gets the food they require. The grant from the Freemasons will help to keep the shelves full and keep the foodbank functioning in all the ways that people have come to rely upon. We are very grateful for the support that you have given over the past few years and recognise the hard work that makes this support possible. Our very best wishes to you all.'
W Bro Andy Vodden (APGM):
'The Plymouth Foodbank is in the heart of the Plymouth community and has been operating for 16 years with a devoted manager and staff of volunteers. The Freemasons of Devonshire have presented the charity with a cheque for £6,666. The Provincial Grand Master and Brethren of Devonshire recognise there has never been a more important time to support those that are in the greatest need.'
Buckfastleigh Foodbank
Having been in operation since 2013, and at their new base at St Luke's Church for 4 years, the Buckfastleigh Foodbank they only get around 30% of their food donated, that’s because they only have one small supermarket in the Town. So that leaves the other 70% needing to be purchased. The Freemasons grant of £6,666 will provide six to eight months of stock purchasing, a significant help.
Being in quite a rural community it’s not just food in demand, but bottled gas for cooking, pet food, washing and laundry products, and it all costs money. Last year they helped 1012 people with 3-day food parcels. [email protected]
Kevin Mitchell (Foodbank Manager):
'We help around 15 to 20 families each week. The area we cover is quite geographically large from isolated Dartmoor moorland communities down the A38 to South Brent and up to Bover Tracey and outskirts of Totnes. We hand out parcels on a Friday at the same time as we run a free cafe for anyone to come and chat , have a drink and keep warm'.
W Bro Andy Vodden (APGM):
'The Buckfastleigh Foodbank has been supported by the Freemasons of Devonshire with a cheque for £6,666. This will help those in need of support in the Town and its wider community. The Provincial Grand Master and Brethren of Devonshire recognise there has never been a more important time to support those that are in the greatest need. Something else i’ve learnt is how much our foodbanks offer advice as well on claiming for benefits and form filling etc'
