Stone Rotary has pledged to support the Stone Community Hub for the next twelve months – with both cash and hands-on support.
The Staffordshire-based club will be providing over £700 during the year to fund the Monday Friendship Lunch at the Drop-In Centre, and any excess cash will be directed to the Foodbank which is also run by the community hub.
In addition, Rotary members will be helping with the preparation and serving of the Monday lunch and other activities as appropriate.
John Sayer, who leads Rotary in Stone, said that Stone Community Hub’s objectives are so well aligned with Rotary’s that Stone’s Rotary members had no hesitation in making the commitment.
“Rotarians are people of action who support our communities – and the Hub’s objective of ‘making lives better’ is just what Rotarians do,” he said.
The Monday Friendship Lunch is particularly appropriate for Stone Rotary to support as it provides a place for those who may not have a great deal of opportunity to escape from the isolation of the four walls at home to meet others in a warm and supportive environment.
Working towards the reduction of social isolation is one of Rotary’s priorities in Great Britain and Ireland, added John who said how pleased he was that local members were contributing to this aim.
Karen Wardell, manager of the Hub, said that they are delighted to be working with Stone Rotary.
Rotarians are people of action who support our communities – and the Hub’s objective of ‘making lives better’ is just what Rotarians do”
This project started in October 2017 and over the last year 56 different people have enjoyed the lunch.
The lunch is open to anyone who wants to attend and the support of Stone Rotary will allow it to support even more people over the next twelve months.
Karen said that the additional support for the Foodbank was particularly welcome since demand has increased over the last 12 months, from around 12 food parcels a month last year to around 40 each month this year.
One Stone resident, Sandra Clark, who regularly attends the Stone Community Hub discovered the centre last year.
She went in on her own and admitted how has never looked back!
“The volunteers and staff are so friendly and helpful, they even help with placing on-line orders for my grocery shopping,” said Sandra.
Sandie Potter, a Stone Rotary member said that she really enjoys volunteering at the Hub on Mondays and has now made numerous meals ranging from baked potatoes to risotto and from scones to chocolate brownies.
She said: “It can be challenging as the numbers are variable and people don’t need to book, but the best part of the day is sitting down with everyone and enjoying lunch together.”
