23 June 2011
Storehouse Chat

May was an extremely busy month when 134 bags of food were given out, resulting from requests from 11 different agencies and 10 non-agency requests. This was the highest monthly number of bags distributed this year. As the situation arose where the food cupboards were almost bare a plea went out from our Senior Pastor to those in positions of leadership within West Suffolk Vineyard Church asking for help in providing urgent supplies of food and toiletries. The result was that on the following Sunday two cars needed to be used to transport all the food to the Vineyard Centre. Thank you God and thank you to all those who responded quickly and willingly.

We have shared with the whole church the on going need for food to come in. If everyone just puts 2 or 3 extra cans of food in their shopping trolley each week, or alternatively those who shop on-line can arrange for a delivery of food to be sent to the Vineyard Centre any week-day morning-this will ensure the cupboards are filled, and that the increasing demand we seem to be experiencing at present will be met.

Since our recent appeal more food has been coming in and the cupboards are looking quite healthy. Thank you to all those who have responded. We need to keep the momentum going. As we give food to the work of Storehouse we are demonstrating God’s love to those in need, and doing just what Jesus did.

Please continue to pray for the work of Storehouse, that God would bless each person that receives a bag.

Please note we are currently in need of the following items:
• Tea (individually foiled packets)
• Sugar (small packets)
• Cereals
• UHT milk
• Desserts
• Snacks
• Soup
• Pot noodles
• Shampoo
• Food for people without cooking facilities

Once again “thank you” to all those who support the work of Storehouse in any way.
God bless you,
Andrew & Mary Soman

Storehouse News
April was again a busy month when 91 bags of food were given out, resulting from requests from 11 different agencies, with two non-agency requests. During the last three months compared with the same period last year the number of food bags given out has increased by nearly 60%. We constantly need a supply of food and toiletries coming into the work of Storehouse, so we can continue to provide those in need with food supplies.

At the moment we are short of the following items:
• Milk
• Biscuits/snacks
• Cereals
• Tea (individually foiled packets)
• Sugar (small packets)
• Desserts
• Toothpaste
• Food for people without cooking facilities

Recently we held a “get together” with those who are involved with packing bags and meeting clients in the office. This was a very encouraging time when we were able to thank God for what He has done through the Storehouse ministry, share any stories of positive encounters with clients , talk through any practical issues in order to improve the way we do things and pray for God’s blessing on the ongoing work of Storehouse . One of the things agreed at the meeting was to keep a supply of bread in the freezer. This would be especially useful for homeless people, also for families. From now on we will not split boxes of tea, unless it contains individually foiled packets. Likewise, if clients want sugar, we will give a full bag. (Small bags will be preferred.)

It is always good to share positive experiences we have had with clients or agencies. One such instance took place recently when a client on collecting his food bag stayed for a drink, had a chat with team members and was willing to be prayed for. He expressed his appreciation that there were those who cared enough to spend time with him in such a way. On another occasion when collecting his food bag the person said “thank you for the wonderful job you do.” These are real encouragements and show us how much the work of Storehouse is valued . It is a real privilege to be able to share God’s love in such a practical way to those in need.

Thank you to all those who support this work. God bless you.
Andrew & Mary Soman

Storehouse Update

March has been another busy month within Storehouse. A total of 102 bags were given out , resulting from requests by 12 different agencies and 4 non-agency requests. As in February, this number of bags was considerably higher when compared with the corresponding month last year.

Please continue to bring in food and toiletries, so that within the current economic climate we are able to help those in our local community who find themselves in a needy and vulnerable position. At present we are specifically short of the following items:

• Baked beans


• Soup


• Pot Noodles


• Desserts


• Tinned potatoes


• Tea (individually foiled packets)


• Sugar (small packets)


• Biscuits


• Small cartons of drink

We would like to thank other local churches , as well as members of West Suffolk Vineyard Church for continuing to support the work of Storehouse, either by providing food supplies, packing bags, or by praying for God’s blessing on this vital work. We know the agencies that refer clients to us, and the clients themselves very much value the work we do. We know too that it is something on God’s heart.

Keep the food coming in! Thank you.

Andrew & Mary Soman

Storehouse busy-ness

Firstly a big “thank you” to all those from West Suffolk Vineyard Church and other churches who have given food and toiletries towards the work of Storehouse during the last month. It is a real privilege to provide practical help to those who are in need.

During February a total of 114 bags were given out. This resulted from requests being made by 11 different agencies and 4 non-agency requests. Compared with February last year when the number was 68, this shows a substantial increase. As a result stocks of food are getting very low. We especially need the following items:

· Soup

· Tinned meat

· Tinned vegetables

· Tinned or packet potatoes

· Pot noodles

· UHT milk

· Desserts

· Tea

· Sugar

· Biscuits

· Food for those with no cooking facilities

If everyone is able to bring 2 cans/items we will be able to re-stock the cupboards and continue to meet the ongoing needs of those people who are referred to us.

We are so grateful to a great team of volunteers who come into the office one morning a week to pack bags and meet callers. Also thanks are due to those individuals who have provided food at short notice. During February we received a cheque from a local church for Storehouse. This was as a result of donations given at a Christmas school service. It is so encouraging to know that other churches are continuing to support the work of Storehouse.

Thank you once again to all those who give food and toiletries to this vital work. Please continue to keep the food supplies coming in and pray that God will bless Storehouse and use it for His glory in Bury St Edmunds and the surrounding area.

Andrew & Mary Soman

Storehouse News

Happy New Year to all those who support the work of Storehouse in any way. May you know God’s rich blessings on your lives as you serve Him.

In December Storehouse gave out a total of 84 bags, as a result of requests from 14 different agencies and 3 Non-Agency requests.

During December one of the agencies gave Storehouse some boxes of food, that had been collected from their staff. We also received a financial donation from members of staff working at another agency. This was really encouraging to know that employees of these agencies very much value the ongoing help given by Storehouse to their clients.

As a result of a Christmas collection one local church gave Storehouse several boxes and bags of milk, cereals and other produce that considerably helped bolster up the food cupboards. Another local church has said they want to promote the work of Storehouse amongst their congregation. This is such an encouragement and source of blessing to know that other churches in the area are “catching the vision” of Storehouse, and feel able to support this existing project.

January has seen a significant increase in number of volunteers working in the office packing bags. It has been really encouraging to see more people within the church getting involved in different ways within Storehouse. The following message from one of the new team members highlights their experience of working within the team:

“For just two hours a week by helping to prepare bags of food for those who would otherwise go hungry, I feel I am able to play my part in seeing these people blessed. For me personally it is time well spent in expressing mercy and kindness to those in need within the community. Matthew 10 v 8: Freely you have received, freely give.”

Please keep the supply of food and toiletries coming in. The clients we provide for very much value these practical provisions. At present we need the following essential items:

• Tinned meats
• Tinned vegetables
• Sugar & tea
• Desserts

Thank you once again for your partnership in this work.

Andrew & Mary Soman

Storehouse Updates

November saw a total of 133 bags of food and toiletries being distributed, following requests from 15 different agencies and 4 non-agency requests. This was the largest monthly figure during this year. With the recent exceptionally cold weather has come an increase in the demand for urgent food supplies. The generosity of many has enabled us to meet this increase. However, we would really value ongoing support by those attending West Suffolk Vineyard Church and any other people who may want to get involved with this vital ministry to the poor and needy in West Suffolk. We are currently running short on the following essential items:

· Tinned meat & meaty meals (e.g. ravioli/stew)

· Tinned vegetables (not baked beans)

· Potatoes

· UHT milk

· Cereals

· Desserts, tinned fruit etc

From January we are increasing the size of the Storehouse Team that packs the bags . We plan to have teams of two people each weekday morning who are able to do this. We are hoping that as well as providing food bags to clients as they call at the office that they may want to stop and have a drink and a chat also. By showing an interest in them in this way the team is demonstrating the love of Jesus. We have also set up a team of people that can be contacted to provide food at short notice when food supplies are running low.

As a church we have been able to buy 46 Christmas presents for children at the Bury Family Centre. These have been very much appreciated by the children and their families. Thank you to all those who have bought a gift.

As the New Year approaches we are looking forward to what God wants to do through the Storehouse ministry.

Thank you for your support and encouragement as we work together in sharing God’s love to others in this very practical way.

Happy Christmas,

Andrew & Mary Soman

Storehouse News & Updates

We would like to introduce ourselves as the new Storehouse Co-ordinators. Firstly a big thank you to Jonathan Coe who with the help of Margie Wright have co-ordinated the work of Storehouse over the last few years. Their leadership has been very much appreciated and the work of Storehouse has developed and grown due to their commitment and enthusiasm.

Mary and I have worshipped at West Suffolk Vineyard Church for over 2 and a half years and have been involved in other ministries within the church during that time. We are very much looking forward to developing the work of Storehouse and encouraging more people to be involved. We believe this practical ministry to be a vital part of the vision of the church-to show God’s love to the poor and needy in West Suffolk. As Jesus said in Matthew chapter 25 verse 40 “ I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.” Involvement can be helping pack bags in the office for a couple of hours one morning or providing food at short notice when stocks are running low. If you would like to know more please contact the Vineyard Centre.

We would like to say a big thank you to the many churches, schools and other organisations who have recently donated food, especially from their Harvest Services. This really has been appreciated, and resulted in the food cupboards being full. As winter approaches the need for food and toiletries will remain high, so any help towards the work of Storehouse would be much appreciated.

Although not quite as high as September we still gave out 77 bags of food and toiletries during October, resulting from requests from 14 different local agencies and 1 non-agency request.

As in previous years during the next few weeks members of the church will be given the opportunity to buy Christmas presents for children at the Bury Family Centre. It is a real privilege to be able to bring joy to these children at this special time of year.

Thank you for your encouragement and ongoing support given to extending God’s Kingdom through the Storehouse ministry.

Andrew & Mary Soman