Review of December and 2009

Although the Vineyard Centre was closed from Christmas Eve onwards, December still proved quite a busy month for Storehouse. We received 65 requests through the month from 13 different local agencies, plus a few non-agency requests, resulting in us giving away 80 bags to needy people in Bury St Edmunds and West Suffolk. Whether it is Christmas time or not, these bags make a real difference in the lives of those who receive them. We were also able to give away some extra Christmas hamper bags to some families, to help make their Christmas a little more special. Thank you to everyone who contributed chocolates, crackers, biscuits, nuts and other treats, to enable us to do this.
Many of you will also have bought presents for the children whose names were given to us by Bury Family Centre. As a Church we gave nearly 80 gifts to the Family Centre for them to pass on to the children who they felt were in particular need of a present this Christmas. Thank you to everyone who responded so generously; each child had a present/voucher brought for him or her in accordance with the suggestions made by the Family Centre, so a huge thank you to you all.
As a whole, 2009 was again a busy year, pretty much in line with 2008. The number of requests rose slightly from 731 in 2008 to 750 in 2009, resulting in a total of 888 bags (up from 884) being given away to individuals and families via just over 20 different local agencies (Social Services, CAB, Drug Services, Connexions, Health Practices, Probation, Hostels etc).
It has been wonderful to see this ministry continue to flourish through 2009, but it has only been possible through the continuing generosity of everyone who has supported Storehouse throughout the year - individuals and families at WSVC, other local churches, local schools and others. Thank you very, very much - each and every one or two cans will have made a real difference in the life or lives of those who have received the bags of food Storehouse has given away. We are looking forward to seeing this ministry grow in 2010, seeing God's love put into action by the generosity of people who are willing to reach out to the poor and needy in a real and practical way. May God bless you and Storehouse this year as we join together in this wonderful ministry. Thank you.

Requests update

As Christmas approaches, Storehouse has been busy giving away lots of food bags over the last week. As a result, we don't have very many boxes of cereals to give away at the moment. The multipacks made up of 8 small boxes are ideal, as we can put three in a single person's bag, and are easily stored, whatever a person's lifestyle. We would be very grateful for any cereals that you might be able to give, either on Sunday, or by dropping some in at the Vineyard Centre over the next week. As we continue to busily give out bags in response to all the requests we receive, let's remember that as we give, we show in a real and practical way something of God's love for those in need. Thank you.

Caring for the poor IS part of God's plan.

We often say that God has a heart for the poor; I was thinking about this the other day and how God set laws in place that looked after the poor. Reading through Leviticus or Deuteronomy can be a bit of a trawl, but you will find there the rules that God set out for the Israelites to follow, both personally and as a nation. And frequently those rules included provisions that would look after the poor and disadvantaged:
‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.’ Lev 19: 9 – 10
‘When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’ Lev 19: 33 – 34
Time and again the sentiment behind these laws is repeated, as God emphasises to his people that they must care for the poor and the needy, the widow and the fatherless, and foreigners living in the country.
The impact that these laws had on people’s lives is hardly demonstrated more starkly than in the story of Ruth and Boaz, in the Old Testament. Ruth was a foreigner and a widow who chose to accompany her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi, on her return to her native country. With no means of income, Ruth went to glean in the fields where the barley was being harvested. To cut the story short, Ruth ended up marrying Boaz, the owner of the field (read the full version in the book of Ruth in the Bible – it’s only four chapters). But the story didn’t end there; Ruth and Boaz had a son, Obed, who had a son Jesse, who was the father of King David. There are Ruth and Boaz, mentioned in Matthew 1, in the genealogy of Jesus. At this time of year, it’s interesting to think what an important part God’s heart and provision for the poor played in the history of the Christmas story. And at the same time, as we have been hearing lately about how God has plans for each of us, let’s not underestimate the difference we might make to the world by being ready and willing to obey and honour him, just like Boaz and Ruth.

November stats, and requests update

During November Storehouse received 64 requests for food bags from 12 different local agencies, plus some non agency requests. As a result, 71 food bags were given away to help single men and women and families in and around Bury St Edmunds and West Suffolk. I know that we say two cans make a difference, but in November you have helped feed over seventy people, giving them meals, snacks and toiletries to help the get through the difficulties that they have been facing. Thank you so much for your continuing generosity and kindness - may God bless you richly as you share with the needy in this way.

In addition to the Christmas treats that we would like to give away in the run up to Christmas (see previous post), we are beginning to run a little low on cereals, razors and shower gel at the moment. If you would consider popping some of these into the Storehouse buckets, or leaving some at the Vineyard Centre, we would be most grateful, thank you.

Christmas is coming....

On Sunday we will be announcing the start of our collecting Christmas presents for needy children. This year Sarah & Phil Addy will be in charge of this and, as in previous years, we will be provided with a list of children's names, their ages and an ideal gift for them. Anyone wishing to purchase a gift for one of these children should take the relevant tag, and then return the gift (costing no more than £10), UNWRAPPED, but with its tag attached, before the 18th December. These will then be delivered to the Family Centre to wrap and pass on to the children. The names that we are given each year are those of children from families with whom Social Services and the Family Centre work, and they are aware of their ongoing needs and situations. It may be the case that some of these children might not receive much else, so it is wonderful to be able to share, in this way, some of the love that God showed the world at this time of year.

As an additional idea, it would also be good to be able to add a few Christmas treats into some of the food bags that we give away in December, or maybe even make up some special ones for individuals and families who are particularly struggling. So if you feel like giving a few festive treats - chocolates, crackers, biscuits, Christmas puds, sweets, candles, etc, etc, etc, whatever you feel led to - please leave them in the buckets on Sundays, or drop them in at the Vineyard Centre. Thank you

Storehouse volunteers

Do you have a heart for what Storehouse does? Would you like to become involved with Storehouse? We would love to have a team of people who are able to spend one morning a week (in pairs at least) at the Vineyard Centre helping Storehouse. This would involve taking phone requests for food bags, filling bags where necessary and meeting the people who come to collect them. We would love to be able to offer people some time to chat if they would like to, as well as maybe a cup of tea or coffee, or even some soup. At the moment we probably average around 4 or 5 bags going out per day, so it won't be really busy. If you would like to be a part of this, please speak to Margaret or Jonathan. Thank you.

October stats

October wasn't quite as busy as September, as far as Storehouse requests are concerned at least. However, September was an exceptionally busy month (see earlier post). During October, Storehouse received 65 requests from 10 different local agencies, plus some non agency requests, resulting in 76 food bags being given away to needy men, women and families in Bury St Edmunds and West Suffolk. A young lady called in at the Vineyard Centre today to collect a bag; she had not realised beforehand that we were there, and she was so thankful for her bag of food. The things we (and "we" means everyone who gives anything to Storehouse) give away through Storehouse we describe as a token of God's love; sometimes in our eyes that token might not be much, but in the hands of someone who really needs it, is desperate and might never receive much else in life, that token might be huge. Let's not underestimate the impact our giving can have in the lives of those who use Storehouse, and let's keep asking God to show HIS love through what we do.
Is that something that you would like to be involved in. We are still looking for volunteers to spend a few hours a week (preferably one morning a week) at the Vineyard centre to help fill food bags, take requests and meet the people who come to collect the bags. If you would like to get involved in this please let the office know, or speak to someone on the team. (Or even leave a comment here). Thank you