Ivybridge Foodbank helped by Devonshire Freemasons after massive coronavirus increase in demand

Local people living in food poverty will continue to receive fresh food from the Ivybridge Foodbank, thanks to a grant of £2,000 from Devonshire Freemasons.

Demand at the Foodbank has grown by more than 200 per cent during the coronavirus crisis, with the service at Ivybridge Methodist Church having fed nearly six hundred people since the lockdown began, half of them children.

The Foodbank makes a point of serving healthy fresh food, in order to help combat the problems of obesity, caused by inactivity and poor diet. Supplies are donated from local shops and supermarkets, but the charity have also purchased fresh meat, fruit and vegetables from local suppliers, thus helping these outlets to be sustainable. This fresh food supplements the regular food boxes and they have also included recipes.

Karen Fitzgerald, Administrator at the Ivybridge Food Bank who was accompanied on the day by John Schaffert said:

“We’re very grateful to Devonshire Freemasons for their generous donation to help us maintain the fresh food initiative. The feedback we are receiving from our supported families is incredible. Children who are not used to fresh fruit and vegetables are now preferring celery, carrot and sweet pepper snacks to crisps and biscuits.”

The grant from Devonshire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.

In response to the extraordinary need created by the coronavirus pandemic, Freemasonry is providing special funding of £2.75 million for projects helping those who are particularly affected by the virus. This extra money comes on top of the estimated £45 million given to charity every year by Freemasons.

Peter Keaty from Devonshire Freemasons, said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to support Ivybridge Food Bank, who are doing wonderful work helping to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community during these very challenging times”.