Requests update...

Although we have received a lot of food recently, there are some items that we are running low on. The things that we particularly need at the moment are:

• any food that can be eaten without heating or hot water;
• tinned meat and meat products;
• pasta sauces;
• long life milk (smaller cartons are really useful);
• small bags of sugar;
• toothpaste;
• deodorant;
• shampoo.

On a completely different matter, we have had a very general request for a family who have recently moved to Bury and who have nothing. The Family Centre is trying to sort out grant funding etc, but in the meantime if anyone has any cutlery, crockery, etc or good quality bedding could they please contact Jonathan & Julia or the Vineyard Centre and let us know what you have. We will then try and liaise with the Family Centre to see what is still needed. Thank you.

October stats

During October, Storehouse has received 68 requests for food bags via 12 different agencies plus non agency requests. This has resulted in 93 bags being given away to people in need in our community. During the last couple of months we have received a lot of food from local schools and churches following their harvest celebrations, and it is amazing to see so much of it going out so soon to where it is really needed. Thank you to everyone who continues to give food to Storehouse; these stats show that the need is as great as ever and your donations of food are always most welcome and continue to make a real difference in the lives of real people. And remember, even one or two cans can make a difference. Thank you.

Requests update

Although we have had a large amount of food and toiletries come in, there are still some items that we are running low on:

• instant mashed potato;
• small packets of cereal;
• small cartons of long life milk;
• small bags of sugar;
• toothpaste;
• deodorant;
• shampoo.

Please do keep an eye on the blog, or the Storehouse notice board for updates, and please feel free to pray about what you might give to Storehouse; there could be things that someone will need that we haven't even thought of! Thank you.

Harvest Time

At this time of year, as local schools and churches celebrate harvest, it is wonderful that some of them choose to donate their non perishable harvest items to Storehouse. Sometimes we have the privelege of visiting schools in particular, and sharing with them at their harvest assembly or celebration a little about Storehouse, what we do, why we do it, and perhaps to give some examples of how we help and the kind of situations where we hope we make a difference. This year we have had a wonderful inflow of food and toiletries from schools and churches in and around Bury. In addition to the earlier posting we have received food from Lawshall Primary School, St Edmund's Catholic Primary School and Pre-School, All Saints Church Hartest, St Mary's & St Peter's Church, Little Fishes mother & toddler group and Sextons Manor Primary School(3). We have also taken part in assemblies and celebrations at Beyton Middle School(1), Barnham Primary School(4) and Hartest Church(2) with the primary school there. Without exception, these schools and churches are glad to be helping Storehouse in meeting the real needs of real people in their own community. We are truly grateful for their generosity and for being so willing to be involved in this ministry. Thank you very much.

(Bracketed numbers refer to photo, starting top left and going clockwise)

The Running Man

You may remember from the posting of 8th August, that Colin Younge was due to run the Felixstowe half marathon on 30th September and raise money for Storehouse via sponsorship. You won't have seen Colin around church lately as he he is now at Southampton University, but before he went there on 1st October he ran the half marathon and completed the race in a time of 2 hours and 35 minutes. Not only that, but he also managed to raise £545 for Storehouse for which we are hugely grateful. The money really will help West Suffolk Vineyard Church's compassion ministry to continue to help needy people in and around Bury St Edmunds and West Suffolk, and to try to help them meet their needs in a real and practical way. Fantastic job Colin, well done and a BIG thank you.

September stats

During September West Suffolk Vineyard Church received 44 requests for food bags from 11 different agencies plus some non agency requests. This resulted in a total of 53 bags being given away through the Storehouse ministry. Although Bury St Edmunds might not give the impression of being a poor town, there are still plenty of needy people in our community and it is great, as a church, to be able to help meet some of those needs through Storehouse. Thank you.

Still here!

Sorry it's been a while since anything was posted here, but it's getting to be a busy time of year. As I said in my previous posting, 19th and 20th of September was the Freshers Event at West Suffolk College. While the college chief and RAF might have managed to get the event into the papers, Storehouse was there as well collecting food, and even giving some out too. It was a great opportunity to maintain our links with the college staff that we know already, but also to increase the awareness of what we do amongst the students and other exhibitors alike. So thank you West Suffolk College for once again giving us this opportunity, and thank you Ted and Margy for doing such a great job representing Storehouse and West Suffolk Vineyard Church.

On Tuesday 25th I had the pleasure of joining with some folk at Ingham Church (left) for one of their regular coffee mornings and at the same time collect the produce collected at their harvest festival the previous Sunday. It was good to be able to thank them, and to share with them a little about what Storehouse aims to do.

In the same week West Road Church delivered the items collected at their harvest services, also held on the same Sunday. It's great to be joined in this ministry by other churches and organisations, and together reach out to those in our community who are in need, and to be able to help them in a real and practical way. We are truly grateful to all those people at Ingham and West Road Church who donated items so generously - they really will make a difference. Thank you!