Founded in 1985, 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 fantastic opportunity from the Masonic Charitable Fund to share in a donation of £3 million as part of Freemasonry’s 300th anniversary celebrations.
An online public vote is being held to decide which local charities within the Province of Northumberland will receive up to £25,000 each from the £3 million fund, which is being distributed to mark the 300th anniversary of the formation of the first Grand Lodge in 1717. The donations are being administered by the Masonic Charitable Foundation and will be distributed to 300 charities across the country.
Maureen Armstrong, volunteer fundraiser for The People’s Kitchen was very excited by the online vote.
“We would urge everyone that knows about our work with our “friends” on the streets of Newcastle and in The Kitchen, to vote for us.
“£25,000 is a life changing amount and will do so much good to help our friends. It’s not just about providing food, we provide a listening ear, sign post to other essential services and offer the hand of friendship to people who have nothing.”
Around 140 hot meals are served every single night that The People’s Kitchen is open to the most vulnerable adults in Newcastle and surrounding areas. In addition, friendship, clothing, showers, activities and outings are provided and outside agencies are partners in providing advice on finance, mental health, dental hygiene, housing and addiction. The People’s Kitchen is now one of the most prominent charities in the North East.
Anyone who wishes to vote for The People’s Kitchen should visit mcf.org.uk/vote, select the Northumberland Province page and vote for the charity. All of the nominated charities are guaranteed to receive a grant, but the public vote will determine the amount from £4,000 up to £25,000.
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.