Struggling Logan residents receive free groceries with Freemasons help

Lighthouse Care Comu Grant Large

400 Logan residents experiencing financial hardship in the wake of COVID-19 will receive a helping hand to put food on the table.

It comes after not-for-profit grocery store Lighthouse Care received a $10,000 Grassroots Community Grant from Hand Heart Pocket the Charity of Freemasons Queensland towards their $25 trolley initiative.

As a result of the funding, Lighthouse Care will be able to give away 400 of these pre-packed $25 trollies for free.

City of Logan Freemasons Lodge spokesperson Matthew Satterly said they nominated the local organisation for the grant.

“Many people in our community are doing it tough at the moment, and sadly this will only increase as government support payments like JobKeeper are reduced this week,” Mr Satterly said.

“Prior to the pandemic the organisation was supporting around half a million shoppers annually, providing groceries at up to 70% off the retail price, but over the last several months Lighthouse Care’s resources have been stretched which is why our Lodge felt they were deserving of the support.”

In fact, it’s the second Hand Heart Pocket Grassroots Community Grant to be awarded to the Lighthouse Care this year, with another $10,000 having been provided earlier this year for seven new freezers, to help improve the handling, storage and display of frozen food products. This earlier support was instigated by the Freemason Lodges of the Warwick region.

Hand Heart Pocket Chief Executive Officer Gary Mark said the charity was focused on assisting its existing charity partners and working with Freemason Lodges to increase support at a grassroots level during the Coronavirus pandemic.

“So far, Hand Heart Pocket has provided over $785,000 in COVID-19 emergency support and Grassroots Community Grants to charities across Queensland during the pandemic,” Mr Mark said.

“Lighthouse Care provides an essential service for the region, and we are glad we could provide this extra support at a time when they needed it the most.”

Photo: City of Logan Freemasons Lodge spokesperson Matthew Satterley, Lighthouse Care Loganholme Store Manager Jon Matthews and Lighthouse Care General Manager Matt Hill with one of the $25 grocery trollies. 

 

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