The Bruce District Masons consist of 14 different Lodges stretching from Wiarton in the north to Wroxeter in the south and Hanover east to Kincardine in the west.
Every year, the District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM) of Bruce District chooses a charity for the Lodges to support with donations. Given the ever-increasing need, his choice this year was local food banks.
Funds donated by each lodge are topped up with an additional 25% from the Masonic Fund of Ontario to be distributed to food banks serving the communities in which the different lodges are located.
“Bruce District Masons are proud to be able to donate approximately $17,000 to local food banks in our communities,” says past District Deputy Grand Master Paul Zorzi.
On Saturday, October 19th, the local Salvation Army Food Bank in Saugeen Shores received two donations – from Port Elgin Lodge No. 429 and the Bruce District Masonic Golf Tournament organized every year by Masons Ted Harrison, Terry Murphy and Paul Zorzi.
The Lodge No. 429 donation of $2,500 included funds raised from its ‘annual Grey Cup Party’ and proceeds of $2,810 from the 2024 Bruce District Golf Tournament were also donated.
“These donations are so much appreciated,” said Nikki Thompson, Salvation Army Senior Family Services Worker. “Cash donations means that we can optimize the foods that we can purchase. Last year, we helped 230 households and this year, 2024, the number is now at 345, which is almost a 50 per cent increase. These are household numbers not individuals. We are seeing more ‘working poor’ than ever. They are working but things like rent and utilities are taking every penny with little, if anything, left over for food.”
Proceeds from the tournament this year were also donated to the District Charity. Ted, Terry and Paul are pictured with the donation of $2810.
