Northumberland Freemasons have donated £6000 to help foodbanks in the area to carry out their good work during the COVID-19 crisis.
The four £1500 donations from the Masonic Charitable Foundation were allocated to foodbanks in Morpeth, Hexham, Newcastle and North Shields.
Wansbeck Valley Foodbank in Morpeth is the largest independent foodbank in Northumberland and delivers food parcels to those in need in Ashington, Newbiggin, Morpeth and surrounding areas.
Project Manager, Linda Fugill said: “Throughout the current COVID-19 situation, the foodbank remains absolutely and totally committed to relieving food poverty. This donation will go a long way to helping those in need.”
Jackie Dickinson from the Bay Foodbank in North Shields was delighted with the donation:
“We’re very grateful for this donation and it will be used to buy bags, boxes and fresh fruit and vegetables for the people we help in North Tyneside.”
At the Newcastle West End Foodbank almost 40,000 three-day emergency food supplies were given to families in crisis in 2018. CEO John McCorry said:
“The £1500 donation from Northumberland Freemasons will be a great help and will make a huge difference to a lot of people.”
In Hexham, the West Northumberland Foodbank have been operating since 2013 and cover a huge area from Prudhoe across to the Cumbrian border and up to Kielder, Bellingham and beyond.
Sam Gilchrist, Project Manager said: “This award has come at a critical time as we’ve had to change the way we operate due to COVID-19.It will help us to help many others who are experiencing extreme poverty.”