Lunch is on us, Blackpool care homes told by lodge members

The project is being organised by the Blackpool Faith Defenders, the town’s Orange lodge.

Lodge members have set up the community initiative Brothers Helping Hands, which was planned before the pandemic but which has proved particularly timely.

Over the past week they have handed out hundreds of food items for staff at 16 care homes as well as Blackpool foodbank Amazing Graze and Fleetwood hot food project, Mustard Seed.

They intend to keep the project going over the weeks ahead, for as long as the lockdown lasts.

Fraser Rodgers, worshipful master of the lodge, said: “We understand there are 267 care homes in the Blackpool area, so it is quite a challenge but we are confident we can make sure no home and no staff member is left out.

“We’re just glad to be able to do something for these care workers and although we didn’t plan this campaign for the coronavirus situation, the timing worked out well.”

The lunch packs contain sandwiches, crisps and soft drinks, and Foxes Biscuits in Blackpool have also chipped in with free pallets of biscuits.

Fraser added: “We hope to launch another project, which would involve getting PPE (personal,protective equipment) to care homes but that is at an early stage.”

The Blackpool lodge, founded in 2001, is affiliated to the Grand Orange Lodge of England