Requests update

The requests over the last several weeks have had a continuously underlying theme... we need lots of just about everything. On a Wednesday morning the Storehouse team usually try and make up as many bags as they can, so that they are ready to be given out as soon as requests come in to the Vineyard Centre. This Wednesday when the bags had been made up, most of the shelves were bare. Some food came in on Thursday, but even after that this is what we had spare in the cupboards:

• No tins of fish
• 5 tins of meat
• No tinned tomatoes, or kidney beans
• 9 tins of vegetables
• Quite a few boxes and tins of potatoes
• 1 tin of baked beans
• 2 jars of coffee
• Quite a few tea bags
• Several cartons of long life milk
• 4 cartons of custard
• No tins of fruit nor any other desserts
• 2 bags of pasta and 3 bags of dried noodles
• No pasta sauces
• No toilet rolls
• Just a few small toiletries

As you can see, the "we need everything" theme is continuing, so please pray about what you might be able to give to Storehouse, and consider any of the items above that are particularly low. Storehouse today provided a food bag for a young single mum and her son who have not received any money for 3 weeks and are currently waiting to see if they can get a crisis loan. They have not had any heating for a week and Storehouse was able to help there too. These are real people here in Bury St Edmunds today that we, as a church are able to help through Storehouse. Thank you for all your continuing support - every one or two cans you give (and toiletries, cartons etc) really does make a difference.

February stats

It was a leap year in more ways than one this year; in February 2007 Storehouse gave out 34 food bags, but this February Storehouse gave out 69 bags, more than double the previous year. This was as a result of 53 requests from 13 local agencies plus non agency requests. At times the food cupboards have looked quite bare and we have used up all of the harvest food, apart from some soup, but we have still not had to turn anyone away. Storehouse really does make a huge impact in individuals' lives and it is wonderful to see its ministry continuing to grow through the continuing generosity and kindness of everyone who gives to and through it. Thank you.

Requests update

Storehouse has given out more than 20 food bags during the last week, so as you can probably imagine, the food cupboards are looking quite low of some items. The things that we particularly need at the moment are:

• tinned meat and meat products
• tinned vegetables*, tinned tomatoes*, tinned kidney beans etc*
• tinned fruit* and desserts*
• Dry pasta and pasta sauces*
• Small bags of sugar*
• Toilet rolls*
• All kinds of toiletries

Because we are running so low, we are unable to make up any more bags than what have already been made up at the moment. If you are able to drop any donations off at the Vineyard Centre before Sunday, please feel free to do so. Thank you

Requests update... and thanks for donations

After a quiet start to February, the requests have been increasing over the last couple of weeks. At the moment we are particularly short of the following:

• tinned meat and meat products
• tinned vegetables, tinned tomatoes*, tinned kidney beans etc
• pasta sauces
• tinned fruit and desserts
• small bags of sugar and small cartons of long life milk
• toilet rolls*
• toothpaste*, toothbrushes* and all other sorts of toiletries.

Over the last week, we've received donations of money from another church here in Bury, from a lent lunch in one of the surrounding villages and also from an anonymous donation through the door. It is wonderful that so many people are willing to join in this ministry, and everyone who gives, whether it is financially or through one or two cans, is an important part of what Storehouse does. Without your support Storehouse could not do all that it does, nor could it help as many people as it does - real people with real needs. Thank you all.

New bags

Towards the end of 2007 we had to re-order Storehouse bags, as we were running low, and we were told that we could also make any changes to the design if we would like to. We felt that we should keep the essential design of the bag the same as before, but we did change the font in which the wording was printed. While we were praying about Storehouse, Roy had a picture of two hands... one giving out and one receiving. We have managed to incorporate these into the bag design and, without adding anything else, we are able to convey the idea that, through Storehouse, we are able to receive and pass on some of the love that we receive from God in a practical way. We hope you like the design.

January Statistics

During January Storehouse received 56 requests for food bags from 11 different agencies around Bury St Edmunds and West Suffolk, plus one non-agency request. This resulted in 73 food bags going to single people and families in need in our community. In January 2007 we gave out 48 food bags and 27 in January 2006. It is wonderful to see this ministry growing as the church grows, and it can only continue to do so with the continued support and involvement of everyone who contributes food and other items to give away. Each of you that gives even one or two cans is making an impact in our community and is spreading God's love to those in need. Thank you.

Requests update...

Over 70 food bags have gone out to people in January (stats will be updated next week) and as you might imagine, we need to keep replacing the food etc that goes out. At the moment we are running low of the following:

• tinned meat and meat products
• tinned vegetable
• tinned tomatoes*
• dried pasta, rice etc
• tinned fruit and desserts
• small cartons of long life milk, small bags of sugar*
• baby food and baby wipes*
• All sorts of toiletries*

We have none of the items marked*, and as you can see, most of the other items are things that we would normally expect to put in a food bag. It is amazing to see the food and other essentials come in week after week, and from the amount of bags that go out, you can be sure that everything that you give really does make a difference. Thank you.