Rotary Corner: What a true community effort in the Deepings

At the same time the Deepings Youth Group had started delivering food parcels to the vulnerable in Deeping but was forced to stop because of lockdown.

One of the churches approached Simon to take the Youth Group’s work on. At this stage Rotary got involved and the Feed Deepings Group was established with local volunteers helping with deliveries. Funding came from the Round Table, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Deeping United FC, Age Concern and the Deeping Food Bank, Deeping United Charities, Market Deeping Town Council and Deeping St. James Parish Council. Local residents started making small donations and the Scouts loaned the group the use of their building.

Initially food was purchased locally but, when Tesco in Market Deeping was approached, they offered to give food to the group. At the same time the group registered with Food Share who also supply food every week for a small delivery charge.

The Feed Deepings Group delivers to over 100 vulnerable people in and around the Deepings. Recipients are divided into three areas and get a delivery once a week. (Monday, Wednesday or Friday).

The group also started having stalls at the Open Door church in Deeping St. James and at the Tesco’s foyer in Market Deeping, giving out food to families in difficulty due to the lockdown.

This has been a true community effort. Aforementioned organisations and local residents helping deliver parcels and man the stalls, working together to achieve this tremendous outcome.

At this time of year Rotary clubs appoint their leaders for the next 12 months. Our Stamford club welcomed its first Lady President in its 72-year history. Rotary has for a long time welcomed female members but it was 2015 before the first women joined this club. New president, Val Lofthouse from Ryhall, was the first woman to join the club. In five years of membership she has filled various roles prior to her election as president. Always keen to volunteer in the community (Victim Support for 13 years and an active member of the Ryhall community for 33 years), she demonstrated the ethos of Rotary, helping less fortunate people both at home and throughout the world.

Val said she felt very privileged to be taking on the role of first Lady President of such a prestigious club and is looking forward to leading it through what promises to be difficult months ahead. She mentioned some of the things the club has done in the recent past; supporting the Evergreen Trust, Stamford Street Pastors and local schools manufacturing PPE for NHS workers. She emphasised how the Covid-19 crisis has brought out the best in people who have helped in the community, the very essence for which the Rotary organisation exists. As she put it: “People have been acting like Rotarians without realising it!”

We all hope this spirit will continue to flourish in our communities and that people will consider joining a Rotary club to carry on effective 
volunteering.