Mindful of the Needs of Others

Whitby’s Pantry is a Community Food Club. The Intact Centre at Ingol set this up as
a food project support local people. Pantries like this are sustainable, long-term
community led solutions than can loosen the grip of food poverty in the
neighbourhood. This valuable service has been provided by Intact since 2019. This
service provides members more choice over the food they get, including fresh fruit
and vegetables. This in turn strengthens the community’s ability to prevent food
poverty.

The Pantry is a membership-based food club where people can access food at a
fraction of the usual supermarket prices. Members invest in this service. For a
weekly contribution of £5 members are able to access £25 worth of food. This
improves a households food security. This in turn frees up money for other essential
household costs, including rent and energy. At this time of rising prices, it can be a
lifeline for many.

Whitby’s Pantry is just one arm of this valuable charity in Preston. Intact provides the
local community with many services including support and advice, particularly
around job seeking. Education and recreation are also key services offered by the
Centre.

The masons of Preston Guild Lodge recently celebrated the Centenary with a special
meeting hosting many Provincial Officers, including the Provincial Grand Master for
West Lancashire, Mark Matthews. Lodge members received a Centenary Warrant
form the United Grand Lodge of England which was presented by Mark.
On the night, Preston Guild Lodge raised funds for charity. One of the mantras of the
lodge is “to be ever mindful of the needs of others.” With this firmly in mind, the
Masons in the lodge decided devote this fund raising to Whitby’s Pantry so that they
could help others for us.

The lodge raised over £400 on the night. That was converted into over 400 items of
essential groceries based on a “shopping list” provided by Intact. The team at Aldi
Fulwood Central helped the lodge to build the order and have it ready for lodge
members to collect.

Two SUVs were needed to collect the order which was immediately delivered to the
Intact Centre for use in Whitby’s Pantry. Ian Wright greeted the team from Preston
Guild Lodge and the thanked the lodge for such wonderful support. Ian said, “with
such a large supply we will be able to support so many people. It will also free up
resources for the Centre.”

The Centenary Master of Preston Guild Lodge, Ian Greenwood told the volunteers at
Intact that the lodge was honoured to support such a worthy and valuable cause in
Preston. He said that he hoped that is made a difference to people’s lives. The lodge
has been mindful of the needs of others and will do more in the coming months.