In May, the Otago Masonic Charitable Trust (OMCT) donated in excess of $50,000 to twelve Foodbanks across Otago.

The impact of the Covid-19 lockdown has resulted in a dramatic increase in demand from Foodbanks nationwide, and Otago, sadly, has not been immune.  The Trustees of the OMCT are painfully aware of this increase and felt that the OMCT should assist by providing additional, and much needed, funding.

As a result, grants ranging from $1,500 to $6,000 have been made to all the Foodbanks in Dunedin, Mosgiel, Milton, Balclutha, Lawrence, Alexandra, Cromwell, Queenstown, Wanaka and Oamaru.

Several Otago-based Foodbank managers have informed us that they have experienced a huge spike in demand, with ever increasing numbers of new customers coming onboard on a daily basis.  “Demand is certainly much, much higher than last year,” one manager told us. “Many families are desperate, and this increase in need can only get worse as relief packages, like the Government’s wage subsidy, end.”

The Otago Masonic Charitable Trust is the umbrella charitable arm of all the Masonic Lodges in Otago.  The Trust annually provides in excess of $125,000 in grants to community organisations, the elderly, youth development, and the arts.  Chairman Ross Hudson said, “The OMCT is happy to contribute in a meaningful way to assist those in need in the Otago region and by supporting the great work that the Foodbanks are doing within the community.”