Lunch time meeting -our speaker will be Gilly Guild giving us an update from the Glenrothes Foodbank also a representative from the Black Watch

On Thursday 12^th December 2019 President Ewen Macdonald welcomed 17 Club Rotarians, Kay Johnson wife of Rotarian Brian and Speakers Ewen Oliver and Father Kevin Dow to this our lunch time meeting, which was held at the Gilvenbank Hotel, Glenrothes. 

On reception, this week was Geoff Sampson with Father Kevin Dow saying grace.

Having received a request from the Black Watch Cadets, Father Kevin Dow Senior Chaplain came along to explain to us about Project Poland and the nature of their request.

This week our speaker was Ewen Oliver Trustee of the Glenrothes Foodbank who gave us an update on the local Foodbank advising us of some depressing stories and advising us that there are now more foodbanks in the UK than branches of McDonald's. The depressing figure has been independently fact checked after being widely circulated on social media. There are currently around 1,300 McDonald's outlets in the UK. but according to a report in the House of Commons Library there are 2,000 foodbanks - and this could be a huge underestimate.

Donations are still coming into our club with many thanks for the generous contribution from Rotarians, friends and neighbours, Donations are always welcome and will be taken down to the Glenrothes Foodbank on Mondays; Wednesdays and Fridays between 1-4.45pm. Our Collection to date on Thursday was 189 Kilos and then on Friday a further 20.25 Kilos. Ewen mentioned that the Foodbank have at present 62 Volunteers but are always looking for volunteers those with energy and enthusiasm.  

The annual Swimarathon fundraiser will take place on 1st March 2020 if you are interested in entering a team please contact us by PM on Facebook.

This coming week’s meeting on Thursday 19th November will be a lunch time meeting to be held at the Gilvenbank Hotel. please meet at the earlier time of 12.15pm for a 12.30pm start. This week we are hoping that Father Kevin Dow will be back to give us the Christmas message.

The Senior Citizens Tea dance took place at Auchmuty High School on Friday 13^th December 2019 disappointingly with so much great entertainment from the students and so much organisation going into the organisation of the event from pupils and Rotarians less than 40 senior citizens attended, normally well over 100 in previous years.

The Rotarians also arranged to pass on groceries to Glenrothes and Glenwood High Schools in order to provide the Senior Citizens in the schools’ area with supplies for Christmas

Our Santa Collection took place at ASDA on Saturday 14th December 2019 with £747 being raised for Rotaries good causes. Many thanks to ASDA for their support and the generosity of the public. Also, many thanks to Santa and the Rotarians and the contingent from the Black Watch Cadets who braved the arctic weather.

If you were interested in supporting the community and international projects get in touch by Private message on The Rotary Club of Glenrothes Facebook page. You will be made most welcome