Freemasons help The People’s Kitchen

Sep 5, 2017

Founded in 1985, Newcastle’s, The People’s Kitchen has served on average of 40,000 hot meals per year to the city’s homeless and disadvantaged population and demand for its services has increased by 30% in the last five years.
Now, the charity has received a much-needed gift of £4000 from the Masonic Charitable Fund as part of a share in their £3 million charity donation to celebrate Freemasonry’s 300th anniversary.

Members of the public were asked to vote for their favourite charity and the ensuing donation has reinforced the public’s appreciation for the work that the charity does helping vulnerable and homeless people within the city and beyond.
Maureen Armstrong, volunteer fundraiser for The People’s Kitchen was delighted with the donation received from the freemasons.
“The £4000 will do so much good to help our friends. It’s not just about providing food, it’ll help us provide a listening ear, a sign post to other essential services and offer the hand of friendship to people who literally have nothing. We are very grateful for this kind donation.”
The Masonic Charitable Foundation receives all of its funding from Freemasons and their families.  It is estimated that half of Freemasonry’s total charitable expenditure of over £33m goes to charities that help people in communities across the country.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
About the Masonic Charitable Foundation
The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) is one of the largest grant-making charities in the country. Funded entirely through the generosity of Freemasons and their families, the MCF awards millions of pounds each year to local and national charities that help vulnerable people, advance medical research and provide opportunities for young people. The MCF also helps to fund vital services such as hospices and air ambulances and regularly contributes to worldwide appeals for disaster relief.  In total, MCF support helps to improve the lives of thousands of people every year in England, Wales and internationally.
As well as providing grants to charities, the MCF supports Masonic families with a financial, health or family need. Visit www.mcf.org.uk
About the United Grand Lodge of England
The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) is the governing body of Freemasonry in England, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands (plus a number of Districts and groups overseas), formed in 1717 and has a membership of over 200,000.
UGLE will celebrate its official 300th anniversary on 24 June 2017, marking the date that four London Lodges came together at the Goose and Gridiron Tavern in St Paul’s Churchyard and declared themselves the world’s first Grand Lodge.

Freemasonry is one of the world’s largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations, and its symbolic origin lies in stonemasonry.
Visit www.ugle.org.uk for further information.
Freemasonry has recently been the subject of a major documentary by Sky TV, Inside the Freemasons.

Photo:  Maureen (in white masonic apron) with a team of volunteer Kitchen staff
The People’s Kitchen: The Alison Centre, 56 Bath Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5SQ  (near St James’ Park)

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