THE Freemasons of South Wales have provided £22,500 to supply food for those in need in the local community.

This funding has provided daily cooked meals to households and weekly supplies to foodbanks, to help minimise the daily pressure on households across South Wales.

During the covid-19 pandemic, which has not only been a period of lockdown but also of employment and financial insecurity for many, a lot of families have struggled to put food on the table.

The elderly and vulnerable are unable to get to the shops, and many of those effected by the winter floods are still living without adequate cooking facilities.

MORE STORIES

South Wales freemasons donate 100 tablets to hospitals

Freemasons assist Ty Hafan with new specialist bereavement service for families

South Wales Freemasons feature in Sky One documentary series

Since starting its “Square Deals” programme in April, the South Wales Freemasons have provided and delivered more than 2,500 cooked meals to individuals and households in Penarth, Cardiff, Caerphilly, and the South Wales valleys.

These are prepared and cooked by the catering staff at Cardiff Masonic Hall and Church Village Caterers, Abercynon, both of whom have given their time free-of-charge to support this cause.

The meals are delivered, safely, by a team of 75 volunteer Freemason drivers.

Eleven foodbanks throughout South Wales have also been supported on a weekly basis, by the South Wales Freemasons, with food donations amounting to more than £5,000.

Hilary Brown, of Butetown Community Centre, said: “I would like to convey our sincere gratitude for the amount of help that has been given by the South Wales Freemasons to support many vulnerable people during this covid-19 pandemic.

“The food donations have been distributed to families all over Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, and the provision of healthy meals to 20 needy people in Butetown and to 11 families who are vulnerable and with children with life limiting illnesses, have been most appreciated.

“Your efforts and commitment to help the most vulnerable and often invisible people in our society is immeasurable, and words fail to convey the difference you have made in the lives of many.”

Assistant provincial grand master of the South Wales Freemasons and coordinator of these initiatives, Alan Gardener said: “The South Wales Freemasons are glad to be able to help our local communities at this time, and support with providing hot meals and food supplies to those who need them most.”