The Province of Shropshire supports many charities, including our own MCF (Masonic Charitable Foundation) and many others, Masonic and non-Masonic alike. The MFC is the Masonic Fishing Charity, which offers an outdoor experience to children, while TLC (teddies for Loving Care) since 2001 has given out 4 million small colourful teddies to children in hospitals. Many local and national charities are helped by the SMCA (Shropshire Masonic Charitable Association) to the tune of at least £40,000 a year. Individual lodges give even more to charities they support (see “Ronnie” below).
The £1m raised centrally at Grand Lodge was used to aid communities up and down the country. The individual response of Masons everywhere has been quite extraordinary, and we quote here just one story out of many that illustrates Shropshire’s Freemasons in action for the benefit of others.
“Ronnie” the van is a hit at Shrewsbury Food Hub
When COVID-19 hit, Shrewsbury Food Hub needed resources to adapt to the situation. Swift support from Masonic Lodges enabled us to keep operating, double the amount of surplus food we redistribute and set up six new Foodshare outlets with our partners so we can reach more than 1,500 people each week. Salopian Lodge of Charity 117 generously donated a van (named “Ronnie” after Worshipful Master Ron Gee), without which we would not be able to operate in this post COVID-world. Thank you so much!
Katy Anderson, Shrewsbury Food Hub