W Bro Omaid Hiwaizi SLGR reports

The initiative backed by Dr Rupa Huq MP, Local MP for Ealing Central and Acton, promising 800 free hot meals a week provided by London Masons during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has now passed 10,000 free meals for vulnerable people in West London.

The meals have been delivered to those in need in partnership with COVID-19 Mutual Aid Ealing, COVID-19 Mutual Aid Southall and Ealing Homeless Refuge.

Residents in need of help in Ealing and Acton have been identified by the Council, local youth centres, women's refuges, and the Ealing Mutual Aid Group.

One recipient of a meal, Mrs Elizabeth Casson, who lives in Hanwell W7, commented: “It is very good. We are now in the 10th week of the lockdown, and in all that time I have only been able to walk around the block. I cannot get to shops myself and I have found it almost impossible to order any groceries online. In fact, I have only had one small supermarket grocery delivery in 10 weeks. For the first couple of weeks, I had supplies in the house, and some neighbours helped by getting some items from the shops, but receiving this food really does help to supplement what I can get via my neighbours. Thank you very much to everyone involved for all your assistance”.

£25,000 of funding was given by the London Freemasons’ Charity and the Masonic Charitable Foundation Covid- 19 Fund, to help provide more meals to residents in need for at least three months.

RW Bro Sir Michael Snyder, MetGM said: “This is a hugely important project, providing hot meals to some of the most vulnerable people in our community. I’m proud that Freemasons can give such practical help during this difficult time. I’m also really grateful to Ruqa Haq MP for taking the time to visit the West London Masonic Centre and offer her support for our initiative to help local people in need.”

Bob Hancock Chairman of West London Masonic Centre said: “This is a fantastic achievement by our magnificent kitchen staff Dan Lee and Bob Whitelock ably supported by Centre Manager John Holdsworth and the Board of Directors Rohit Pattni, John Holdsworth, Mike Craft, Alan South and secretary John Buckingham.

“Our sincere thanks to Metropolitan Grand Lodge, Mark Province of London and the Lodges and Chapters at the centre who have provided the much-needed finance to fund this marvellous project. We are still operating the foodservice and plan to keep providing meals as they are wanted through September.”

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 42 October 2020 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons - Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in the Arena Issue 42.