Food needs...

Already this month Storehouse has given away more than 30 bags of food to needy people in and around Bury St Edmunds and West Suffolk. As a result we urgently need the following items:

• long life milk (we have none left in the cupboards)
• tinned meat (we had 2 tins left on Wednesday)
• tinned meals like ravioli, spag bol etc (hardly any left)

We also getting low on fish, vegetables and desserts. If you are able to drop any of these items in to the Vineyard Centre or in the Storehouse buckets on Sunday morning we would be really grateful. Not only us, but each tin will make a real difference to someone who maybe might not otherwise be able to put a meal on his or her plate that day. Thank you and may God bless you as you continue to support this invaluable way of reaching out with compassion to people in need in our community.

April stats

April was yet another busy month, although very slightly quieter than previous months. During the month 10 different local agencies made a total of 54 requests, which, when added to non agency requests, resulted in 63 food bags being given away. Whether months and weeks are busy or quiet, each food bag that is given away makes a big difference to the recipient. And each tin or packet of food is food that someone otherwise might not have had, but for the kindness of the person who chose to give it. So thank you to everyone who has given food and toiletries to Storehouse through the last month; already we are starting to run low on some basic items like desserts, meat and veg so every one or two cans that you give really do make a difference. May God bless you as you share his goodness and kindness with those in need. Thank you.

Urgent requests update

Thank you so much for all your gifts of food and Easter eggs. However, we still need a few more Easter eggs, including some some of the small ones for an Easter egg hunt (see eggstra special request below), so if you can drop any in at the Vineyard Centre before this Thursday that would be great. Also, we are right out of desserts so again, if you are able to drop any tinned or packet desserts, puddings etc in at the Vineyard Centre we would greatly appreciate them. Thank you

March stats

March was yet another busy month for Storehouse; we were contacted during the month by 13 different local agencies resulting in a total of 56 requests, plus one non agency request. As a result, Storehouse gave away 64 bags to needy men, women and families in and around Bury St Edmunds and West Suffolk. These are real people, in real situations, young and old, who find themselves struggling to even put food on the table. Your kindness, generosity and willingness to share, makes a real difference in the lives of these people, and we hope it shows something of God's heart for the poor and needy as we reach out to them within our community. Thank you.

Eggstra special request

One of the local agencies with whom we work has asked whether we might be able to help them out in a similar way to how we did last year by buying them some Easter eggs. Ideally, they would like around 20 "normal" sized Easter eggs to give to the children of the mainly single mums in their care, plus some small eggs for them to hide as they hope to arrange an Easter egg hunt. They don't need the eggs until the Thursday after Easter, so if you would like to donate an egg or some small eggs, then please feel free to drop them in at the Vineyard Centre or at Church on Easter Sunday. If we receive too many, we will simply give them away in food bags so don't worry on that front! This is another opportunity to share with those who might struggle at this time of year, and as we approach the time of year when we particularly focus on why Jesus came, it's good to be able to share that love that God has for everyone. Thank you.

Cupboards of Love

Last year Storehouse was given some large MDF cupboards and so we have moved most of the food etc out of the grey metal cupboards and into these "new" ones, as they are much larger. When we were given the cupboards, they were just bare MDF, but recently, Lynette and Liz have kindly painted the cupboards, with the design and colour scheme etc being entirely up to them. Here's what the design on one of the doors now looks like, together with Lynette's own words to tell the story:

When asked to decorate the cupboards in January for Storehouse, I had an overwhelming urge to celebrate the fact that these were “cupboards filled with love” (hence ♥ motif)

Each item is a single act of compassion and love which, when put together, can change lives or make a difference! WOW!

We can be faced daily with a decision of, “do I bother to help with….. or does it make a difference if….?” You know, every time we do “bother”, something happens…. a situation is changed.

Several years ago a project started in South Africa called T-Bag Designs. It was born out of a desire to help families on townships who had nothing. A used T-Bag was dried, emptied and became a canvas for painted designs. These were then made into cards or used to decorate products and sold. This simple act of re-using T-Bags provided employment, which in turn gave a sense of purpose leading to self-worth and hope. Many people now “bother” to dry out T-bags for this project. It is a simple act, but life changing to those in the township.

These same T-Bags are now on the Storehouse doors. So, as we look at the T-Bag hearts, let’s receive a new heart of compassion. Let our hearts be softened so we can see the worth in every human being, whatever their circumstances.

Let’s see lives changed through love.

Thank you Lynette, and Liz.

February stats

For a short month, February was very busy as far as Storehouse was concerned. During the month we received 55 requests from 14 different agencies plus a non-agency request, resulting in 67 bags being given away. It's been good to see this ministry grow, and sometimes to be able to offer those who come to collect their food bags a cup of coffee or even some hot soup. We hope that this ministry will continue to grow through 2010, but we know that we can only do this through the continuing support of everyone who donates food, toiletries and even their time to Storehouse. Thank you to everyone who does this, in whatever way; every donation makes a real difference to those who receive a food bag. In February that was 55 individuals and families whose lives were touched by the kindness and generosity of people who had been willing to give food and toiletries etc to Storehouse. Thank you so much, and may God bless you as you share his love in this way.