Newsletter 21st and 28th July

21st July we gave out 97 parcels and had 38 volunteers.

28th July we gave out 110 parcels, 9 of which were to new clients and we had 40 volunteers.

Another busy day at the Drop In, we have quite a number of volunteers on holiday but we were blessed by having some new volunteers joining us and some old friends come in to help ..... we still have a few on holiday next week if you fancy coming in and helping.

I have heard a complaint about some of our clients drinking outside the building on a Saturday and I would just like to explain our views on this matter.

We totally agree that we would like to stop the drinking on the street during the Drop In times .... we have a policy that if anyone is caught drinking around the church they will be barred from receiving parcels for 4 weeks and if they continue to drink around the premises they will be permanently barred. Unfortunately the last couple of weeks we have been short of volunteers and it is very difficult to police the outside when we are shorthanded inside. But then on the other hand if someone has been barred and still comes and drinks outside the premises how do we stop them then???

I believe there are people who think that we should not give parcels to any people who have addictions .... our eligibility is based on financial need and they are not asked if they have any addictions to eliminate them from eligibility. Yes we know that they will spend their money on drink but we want to be able to put some food in their stomachs and try to keep them a little healthier.

Those who are reliant on drink or substances are usually the people of our community who have had really rough times in their lives .... I'm sure non of them grew up thinking 'when I grow up I want to be an alcoholic'. Some have had really bad childhood experiences, some have had good lives which have for some reason turned totally upside down and they have unfortunately turned to a bottle for help and in their upset lives the only people they can normally turn to for help are other people with the same problems ..... We want to change that!!!

We are a Christian project and we have to be non-judgmental to those who come through our doors and after being a part of the project for 3 and half years I am proud to say that we have a wonderful team who are always very supportive to everyone who comes in for help. We are about more than Food .... we put a lot of effort into the Support side. How are we ever going to help them to move on to a better life if we just reject them because we don't agree with their lifestyle?

One of our clients (along with a whole group) has been taken to New Wine by some of our wonderful volunteers (at their own expense!!!) ..... and this is the message sent back about T.

T. commented that she would not be where she is today without the Food Drop In. She said she would still be in her life of suffering and addiction, she has been free from drink, drugs and cigarettes now for 5 months! She said that the Food Drop In has been the stability in her life that she needed!!!

God is good and loves her and all our clients in a very special way. Luke 14 v13-14

Soup	Tinned Fish	Tea Bags	Toilet rolls
Baked Beans	Tinned Meat	Coffee	Deodorant
Pasta Sauce	Tinned Fruit	Breakfast Cereals	Washing up Liquid
Tinned Vegetables	Sandwich Spread	Cordial	Shower Gel
Instant Mash	Jam	Pot Noodles	Toothpaste
Dog/ Cat Food	Strong carrier bags

Clients who have requested your prayers are: