a food bank that could help,
A buzz of excitement surrounded the debut of a new weekly food bank at the UCKG HelpCentre in Edmonton, on Saturday 21 November. On its opening day, the food bank helped 67 recipients with supplies for the week ahead, far exceeding its initial target of assisting 20 to 30 households in need.
Throughout the previous week, people had seen banners outside the HelpCentre, so there was a queue awaiting the opening at 11am. Those who came along, were mostly from local families that were struggling financially, however one lady had cycled all the way from Richmond in search of a food bank that could help her.
A dozen members of the HelpCentre, which is a Pentecostal church, were ready for everyone with plentiful supplies of non-perishable food and hygiene products. “Members of the UCKG’s Victory Youth Group had already set out the supplies on tables and stayed around to chat with the visitors, which all made the organisation of the event easier,” said Declan Varleigh, the UCKG’s community outreach rep for Edmonton.
“The combination of kindness and the level of need that all this represented left me with a bitter-sweet feeling,” he added. “Although Edmonton is often described as a leafy suburb, it is one of the boroughs that have been greatly affected by austerity measures as well as youth violence and poverty.”
To ensure that the food bank has plentiful supplies, the organisers have been in contact with Greggs, and with FareShare who were a great help. Members of the HelpCentre also did a marvellous job in donating hygiene products and non- perishable foods for distribution.
Anyone who would like to donation food for future weeks should contact Pastor Lucas who runs Edmonton HelpCentre or email him via co.edm@uckg.com.
ENDS
Note to editors:
UCKG is a Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort and welcomes all- comers. It reached the UK in 1995 and has gone from strength to strength, providing support and spreading the Christian faith. There are UCKG HelpCentre branches in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
VYG is the youth arm of the UCKG HelpCentre, and works to help young people aged 14 to 25 to develop their full potential. VYG started in the UK in 1996 and has been growing steadily ever since. Over 1,300 young people attend VYG meetings every week, sharing sessions that include practical teaching, fun and spiritual development.
For further information please contact the UCKG HelpCentre Press Officer via e-mail on press@uckg.org or direct line 020 7686 6033.
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