Swan of Avon Lodge No 2133 Immediate Past Master Worshipful Brother Tim Johnson chose their local foodbank as his charity for his year of office.

Through his leadership and industry, the Lodge raised £1,000 from 18 active members. The brethren also contributed to other charities during his year in office both Masonic and community driven.

Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank (Charity No: 1153297)   has been providing emergency supplies of food and other items to those in need in the local area, whilst working with partners to prevent and relieve poverty, since it opened in 2013 (seeded by the Trussell Trust).  The support it provides continues to increase, with a shocking 41% increase in numbers of people fed in the year to November 2023 compared with the previous 12 months, including a 61% rise in the number of children fed by the foodbank. Sadly, food donations to the trust continue to fall in these tough times, but financial donations from the local community have risen in response and the brethren of Swan of Avon Lodge were eager to make their contribution to this effort.

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire agreed to match the £1,000 raised by a further £1,000 from the Provincial Grand Charity and the additional support provided by the Provincial Grand Lodge match funding represents a great example of working together ‘in strength’ to bring ‘plenty’ in the midst of poverty to the most vulnerable in our local community.