Storehouse News

April and May were again busy months within the Storehouse Team. In April a total of 154 bags were given out resulting from requests from 12 different agencies and 2 non-agency requests. In May a total of 144 bags were distributed, resulting from requests from 15 different agencies and 6 non-agency requests.

We welcome Clare, Margaret and Caron who have recently joined the Storehouse Team.  A big “thank you” to Shirley who has had to leave the team. We do appreciate her faithfulness in serving in this way. We also thank Nicola who is having a break from serving within Storehouse for the time being.

We recently enjoyed a Storehouse team “get together” where we were able to chat through any issues, explore new ideas and generally celebrate together how God continues to bless the work of Storehouse. At the meeting one of the team told of a situation when we were able to give a homeless person a coat. They were so grateful that we were able to help them in this way.

Recently a couple within West Suffolk Vineyard Church held a joint Birthday party. Instead of guests bringing presents they were asked to bring food  for the work of Storehouse. What a great idea. As a result several boxes containing food were brought in to swell the Storehouse cupboards! A sizeable cash donation was also received. Thank you to our friends who thought about Storehouse in this way and initiated the idea.

At present we especially need the following items:

·         Tea

·         Tinned Meat

·         Tinned Vegetables

·         Tinned potatoes

·         Fish

·         Soup

·         Desserts

·         Snacks & food for people with no cooking facilities

·         Toothpaste

Thank you to all those who continue to support the work of Storehouse. The clients we work with do value the practical help we are to give them.

Andrew and Mary Soman

Storehouse Update

During March the number of food bags given out decreased from the exceptionally high number in January and February. A total of 140 bags were distributed in March, resulting from requests from 14 different agencies and 9 non-agency requests.   What a blessing that we can continue to care for those in need in our community by showing God’s love in this practical way.  

We are so grateful to those who volunteer to pack bags. We have a great team made up of people from West Suffolk Vineyard Church and those from other churches and individuals also. We want to say a big “thank you” to Rosie and Alison who have recently left the team to concentrate on other ministries within the Church. We also welcome Emma and Adrian to the team.

We also appreciate a team of people who we contact when supplies of food are getting really low. Their swift response means the food cupboards are topped up ready to be used to pack bags.  

At present the Storehouse cupboards are starting to look bare. We especially need the following items:

•  Tinned Meat
• Tinned vegetables
•  Tinned potatoes
•   Fish
•  Soup
•  Tinned desserts
•  Biscuits/snacks
•  Food for people with no cooking facilities

If you are able to help out in buying any of the above that would be very much appreciated. Thank you to all those who support the work of Storehouse, in any way.

God bless you,

Andrew & Mary Soman

  

Storehouse Chatter
January and February have proved to be the busiest months on record. In January a total of 187 bags were given out, resulting from 15 different agencies and 7 non-agency requests. Of the total number of bags 60 were given out to clients referred by the local drugs agencies. In February a total of 181 bags were given out, resulting from 14 different agencies and 24 non-agency requests.
As a result of the ongoing high number of requests please keep the food coming in. We currently need the following items:
• UHT milk
• Cereals
• Tea (individually foil packets)
• Fish
• Pot noodles
• Tinned meat
• Tinned Vegetables
• Tinned potatoes
• Tinned desserts
• Food for people with no cooking facilities
In February Lindsay who is one of the Storehouse Team unfortunately fell over in the snow and broke her ankle, so will be missing from the team for some weeks. We pray for a swift and full recovery for her.
During the last few weeks we have welcomed Nicola, Yvonne and Maureen to the Team. It’s great to have these new people willing to serve in this way.
We have been greatly encouraged by one of the local Slimming World groups who now give regularly to the work of Storehouse, all because of one of the group members who also attends WSVC who mentioned the work of Storehouse. If you know of any groups or organisations that would be interested in supporting the work of Storehouse please contact us via the main office.
Thank you to all those who support the work of Storehouse. May you know God’s blessing as you serve Him in this way.
Andrew & Mary Soman

Storehouse Update
In December 139 bags of food were distributed. As the office was closed for one week over the Christmas/New Year period this proved to be the busiest month of the year. This resulted from requests from 15 different agencies and 6 non-agency requests. The total number of bags given out in 2011 was 1370, compared with 985 bags in 2010. This represented a 39% increase. The need to provide emergency food and toiletries for those in need seems to be increasing.

We recently received an encouraging comment from one of the volunteers at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau to say how much the work of Storehouse is greatly valued in Bury St Edmunds. He specifically said that in a difficult financial climate it is so good that we are “giving out” rather than “holding onto” what we have. Comments such as this are so encouraging as we seek to share God’s love with others.

We say “good bye” and “thank you” to Christine Smith who is moving on from the Storehouse Team. There are currently one or two spaces to fill on the Storehouse Team, so if you reading this and want to get involved please contact us via the office.

The food cupboards are currently low on the following items:
• Cereals
• UHT Milk
• Tea (individually foil packs)
• Fish
• Pot Noodles
• Tinned meat
• Tinned vegetables
• Tinned potatoes
• Tinned desserts

One again thank you to all those who support the work of Storehouse. As you bless others may you know God’s blessing in your lives.
Andrew and Mary Soman

Storehouse News
November was again a busy month, when 106 bags were distributed, resulting from requests from fifteen different agencies and ten non-agency requests.
In November we had a productive team meeting when we were able to share stories of how God has blessed the work of Storehouse in meeting the practical needs of those in our community. It was also a chance to encourage one another and share any new ideas that relate to the running of Storehouse. We were able to welcome to the team Sarah and Lindsay, both from Gt Barton Free Church, and to say “good-bye” and “thank you” to Julie who has moved onto other things at the Vineyard Centre.
As in previous years members of the church congregation have bought Christmas presents for those in our community. Over 150 gifts have been given to the Family Centre, Acorn House, (mum’s and baby complex) Jocelyn Court (old people’s home) and CRI (providing help to people with Substance Misuse.) We do thank all those who have given so generously in buying these presents, and in so doing demonstrating God’s love to those in need.
The vast stocks of food received from local churches and schools in October are being used up. Although we still have lots of certain items of food, we are short of the following items:
• Cereals
• Milk
• Tinned meat
• Tinned potatoes
• Fish
• Desserts
• Biscuits
• Food for people without cooking facilities
Thank you to all those who have supported the work of Storehouse during the last year. We look forward to 2012 when we can continue to share God’s love with those around us.
God bless you.
Happy Christmas
Andrew & Mary Soman

Storehouse Chat
October proved to be a busy month with a total of 122 bags being given out. This resulted in requests from 16 different agencies and 13 Non-Agency requests.

We were privileged to receive harvest produce from 8 churches and 13 schools in our local area. Members of the team were invited to visit several schools/churches and share the work of Storehouse. The interest shown in the work by teachers, children and church officers was very encouraging. As a result our cupboards are overflowing with food and toiletries. We are so thankful to all the schools and churches that have supported us and also thankful to God.

Although we have plenty of food in our cupboards at the moment please continue to bring in food on a regular basis. Some examples are as follows:
• Tinned Meat
• Tinned potatoes
• Cereals
• Food for people without cooking facilities

Thank you for continuing to support the work of Storehouse, as we seek to show the love of Jesus to those around us.
Andrew & Mary Soman

Storehouse News
August was again a busy month within Storehouse, as we gave out a total of 114 food bags, resulting from requests from 14 different agencies and 2 non-agency requests. July and August have shown that by far the greatest number of requests have come from the drug-related agencies.
During the next few weeks we are expecting several schools and churches to give Storehouse the produce from their Harvest celebrations. This will be very welcomed in order to top up the food cupboards. Please pray that as we are asked to share the work of Storehouse within the schools and churches that God’s love would be seen through this practical ministry.
We have eventually used up the many tins of tuna that we were given some time ago, so please add fish to your shopping list again! At present we are especially short of the following items:
• Meat
• Tinned potatoes
• Vegetables
• Desserts
• Fish
• Tinned soup
• Food for people without cooking facilities
Don’t forget “two-cans” can really make a difference.
Thank you for supporting this vital work.
May God bless you.
Andrew & Mary Soman