Wednesday 16 July 2008

Requests update

Another busy week (Storehouse has given out over 20 bags in the last week) means that we are running low on some things and are completely out of quite a few. If you use this blog to help you decide what to give to Storehouse then here's a list of what we're running low of:
· ANY food that can be eaten without heating
· tin openers, plastic bowls, cutlery etc
· tinned meat and fish, tinned vegetables*
· instant mashed potato*, tinned potatoes*, baked beans*
· pasta, rice*, pasta sauces*
· tinned fruit* and other desserts*
· tea bags, coffee*, small bags of sugar*, long life milk
· small cartons etc of drinks*
· toiletries (esp. toothbrushes*, deodorants*, soap)
· toilet rolls, wet wipes* (really useful for homeless people)
* these are the items we have none of!
As you can see, we really are low on quite a few items, and would appreciate these in particular. But please pray too about what you might give; we never know what requests we might receive and are sometimes faced with quite specialised needs, ranging from dog food to vegetarian, no cooking facilities to lactose intolerant. I remember Chris telling a story about Storehouse at Riverside Vineyard. A person came to them needing a very specific type of food parcel because he/she was extremely allergic to a certain kind of food. Before the person's need was even known about a food parcel perfect for that person's needs had already been made up. We really can join with God in meeting people's needs as we take part in this ministry, and who knows what the results might be? And whether we see miracles or whether we don't, every bag that is given out is a token of God's love to the recipient, and really does have an impact in the lives of the needy who receive them. Thank you.

Wednesday 9 July 2008

Food requests update

Thank you so much for all the food that has come in over the last week. It is amazing to see your continuing generosity, especially after such a busy month through June. As the food bags continue to be given out we are running low of the following items:
· ANY food that can be eaten without heating
· tin openers, plastic bowls, cutlery etc
· tinned meat and fish, tinned vegetables
· instant mashed potato, tinned potatoes, baked beans
· pasta, rice, pasta sauces
· tinned fruit and other desserts
· coffee*, small bags of sugar*
· small cartons etc of drinks*
· toiletries (esp. toothbrushes*, deodorants, soap)
· toilet rolls, wet wipes* (really useful for homeless people)
(* we currently have NONE of these)
Please feel free to drop any items off at the Vineyard Centre or bring them to church on a Sunday. All of your gifts are appreciated and really do make a difference in the lives of those who ultimately receive them. Thank you.

Wednesday 2 July 2008

June Stats

Yet again June has been an incredibly busy. Storehouse received 69 requests during the month from 12 different local agencies, plus some non agency requests. This resulted in 76 food bags being given away, over a fifth of which were for people with no access to any cooking facilities. We've also given away nappies, baby milk and some clothes. The cupboards have been very bare at times, but we have not had to turn anyone away. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this ministry, for all your prayers, your donations and your kindness. Each of you has made a difference.
The other day Julia was talking to a lady who was carrying a Storehouse bag; she hadn't been given the bag, but a friend of hers had and she liked the bag so much she asked if she could have it. In particular she loved the writing on the bag that says "a token of God's love for you". That's what you do every time you do anything for Storehouse: you show some of God's love to someone else in need. Thank you.