Foodbank charities on the Fylde said a big ‘thank you’ to a kind donation of £1,600 from the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity. The South Fylde Group was able to spring into action to distribute this magnificent sum to five worthy charities across the Fylde Coast.
Dave McKee, hard-working South Fylde Group Charity Steward, alongside his wife Paula, sat down with South Fylde Group Chairman Ben Gorry to discuss where this money would best serve its purpose and five deserving organisations were identified.
The charities identified were, Care & Share Blackpool, The Fylde Food Community Hub, Helping Hearts Fylde, His Community Food Pantry and Wesley’s Community Café & Larder. These donations will be well applied over the festive period and will hopefully bring assistance and cheer to those in need
It was appropriate that Paula was included in this process as her charitable efforts have been so widely recognised that she was invited, along with Linda McEvilly from Care & Share, to the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in London.
As well as distributing food and clothing in the Fylde community, Care & Share act as a hub for various other foodbank and distribution charities so that resources can be best placed for people in need. Paula and Linda are key players in this organisation and devote much of their own time in helping out.
Likewise, Robert Bentwood of Ansdell Lodge No 3607 is a regular supporter of Wesley’s Community Café and Larder. This charity is based at St Anne’s Methodist Church and as well as holding a constant stock of food items, also runs a finely presented café, where people can get a meal and enjoy the company of others.
The Fylde Community Hub has been operation since 2020 and did much good work during the height of the COVID pandemic to alleviate the distress of many needy people. They continue to this day, generating provisions to those in need.
Helping Hearts Fylde is a registered charity based in the Fylde. Two years ago, as a committed team of volunteers, they founded a non-profit organisation committed to primarily helping low income families and the homeless. They can be found at the New Life Community Centre in Blackpool, with trolleys loaded with hot food and hot drinks for immediate consumption, and cold food, snacks and drinks for the next day, and currently feed over 50 people each week. They also provide clothing, underwear, toiletries, sleeping bags and footwear. You can find them on their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/helpingheartsfylde/
At His Community Food Pantry, people get healthy food. Fresh and frozen, meat, fruit and vegetables, there’s all sorts. They get salmon! People in these areas can’t afford salmon! They use the goods to run food pantries and community cafes at bases across Blackpool, feeding up to 125 people every week. They were able to open their second hub using the money they’d saved on food costs after their first two years as members of the Food Redistribution Centre. They couldn’t keep going without it. HIS can also be found on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/p/His-Community-Food-Pantry-100078819367978/
Ben Gorry was pleased to say: “It was a great pleasure and honour to support these charities at this time of year when calls upon their resources will be at such a high level.”