It's a simple idea but one that has proved to be very effective. Every week we ask people in the church to purchase one extra item of tinned food or toiletries when they do their usual weekly supermarket shop. We collect all these goods at church on Sunday and are then able to make a one-off emergency food gift from our Storehouse to those who, for whatever reason, find themselves without the money to buy the basic essentials.

Our Food Storehouse is also supported by local schools donating their harvest festival produce, and other local organisations who place food collection points in their offices.

Usually, people are referred to us by the social services, the local council or community groups but it may be through a personal contact in the church. There are lots of people in need in this area and we have found that a gift of a box of food goes a long way to saying that someone cares.

More than that, it's a simple way of showing people that God is concerned for them and wants to meet their needs.

What We Need This Week:

• tinned meat or meat products
• tinned vegetables
• men's toiletries including shaving items, deodorant and shower gel