Freemasons in New Zealand support Foodbanks

Helping those in need is a core aspect of being a Freemason. Throughout New Zealand Freemasons have been providing support to help those who help the most vulnerable in our society.

Freemasons Foundation and the Auckland City Mission

Earlier in the year as Covid-19 was developing the Freemasons Foundation supported the Auckland City Mission with a significant donation to help to meet the needs of helping those who required support from their Foodbank.

Lodge and District Projects to support Downtown City Ministry – Wellington

We are pleased to see Westminster Lodge 308 working with the Wellington Downtown City Mission. With some extra help from the Freemasons Charity, they were able to donate supplies to the Wellington Foodbank, bringing the total contribution of the appeal to $3,000.

That, on the back of Westminster Lodge 308 donation to DCM a Freemasons Kapiti-Wellington District Project, will net them a further $21,000, which includes a subsidy from The Freemasons Charity towards food supplies.

Now is a great time to start planning how your Lodge can get involved in its community for when we’re able to meet in person again.

Otago Masonic Charitable Trust help Foodbanks throughout the Otago Region

Due to the Covid-19 situation the Otago Masonic Charitable Trust, after consideration, decided in March to cancel the 2020 Community Grants round with regret.

The Trust has each year given $5000 to local Foodbanks in Dunedin and the wider Otago.

We have recognised that due to the unfortunate situation around the Covid-19 virus, foodbanks are finding there is an increased call on their services, and this will possibly get worse as time goes by.

Therefore the Otago Masonic Charitable Trust has today given $50,500 in grants to Foodbanks across Otago. A big shout out to OMCT!

Cheques have been mailed today to Foodbanks in;  Oamaru, Dunedin, Milton, Balclutha, Lawrence, Queenstown, Wanaka, Cromwell and Alexandra.

It is hoped that this will help them to provide the necessities of life to those members of our communities who have been adversely affected by this unprecedented event.

Those Foodbanks spoken to in the last few days are very grateful for this assistance,  as they are expecting the demand for their services to increase, and potentially get worse for some time to come, particularly as government assistance, such as the wage subsidy,  ends.