Call to Alms!! Foodbank InitiativeCall to Alms!!

Following E Comp Geoff Lester’s letter of the 3rd September, encouraging all Chapters to take up the Grand Superintendent’s initiative for Chapters throughout the Province to support their local Foodbanks, as Charity Steward of The Chapter of Sincerity No 261 I visited the Taunton Foodbank, to get a little local background knowledge on the subject.

Felicity Parry, Deputy Manger explained how the operation worked and after I had explained the reason for my visit, she informed me that they would be very pleased to receive both food or monetary donations and although they were reasonably well staffed at the present time if anyone did wish to offer practical assistance they would be pleased to hear from them.

I contacted the other Taunton Chapters and told them I intended to setup a Foodbank station for the collection of non-perishable foods in the foyer of the Taunton Masonic Hall. I also distributed a leaflet about the Foodbank which contained a Gift Aid donation form, for all those dining at the Festive Board along with a collection pot on the bar.

I managed to do this just before our November Convocation, as we were very pleased to receive and welcome our Grand Superintendent, E Comp Ray Guthrie, and the Third Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Geoff Lester that evening.  Both were really pleased with my efforts and the result was that I was able to take £79.00 in Gift Aid donations + £27.00 in cash to the Taunton Foodbank the following day.

After the Convocation, the next meeting of Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity No 261 on 16th November held a raffle which raised the sum of £270.00 also now donated to the Foodbank.

The Foodbank station is a permanent feature in Taunton Masonic Hall.  Your help in supporting the Foodbank will be “gratefully received and faithfully applied”.  If you happen to be coming to Taunton Masonic Hall for any reason, please raid the larder before you leave home and pop an item in the collection box.  If you happen to find yourself at the bar, then please put what you can in the way of cash in the collection pot.  A Gift Aid donation (forms available at the bar) will add another 25% to your gift.

Many thanks to all who have already contributed to this very worthy cause.

Roger Bailey, Charity Steward, Chapter of Sincerity 261