Linda Estrada, our church reader, likes to create services that will bring in people who might not normally come to church, and on Sunday, October 16 she worked alongside my husband Martin and me to do just that. The theme of the service was harvest festival and the villagers were encouraged to donate food for the Rye food bank. They did not disappoint. There was a wheelbarrow groaning with food and more bags of donations around it. The church was decorated with flowers and greenery, and it looked very festive. Martin had chosen hymns which reflected the theme. It was good to see the church so full.
Bob Harper from the food bank gave the congregation a very informative talk about what it is like to work at the food bank and also what work they do beyond giving food to those who need it.
“First, I want to say how very greatly we value donations of food and of finance. I speak on behalf of upwards of twenty committed volunteers when I say that every donation is valued and every penny used for the benefit of those in this community who are struggling. This offering is astonishing and wonderful and we do thank you so much for it. Our promise is that it will all be out for the benefits of clients next Wednesday.
“I have been working at the food bank for some years. I was immediately struck by the deep commitment of many volunteers, and the fact that this was considered to be a natural Christian response of help for those in need. I knew it was a work that God was moving me into. Which indeed it is. The gospels record Jesus’ concern for the poor and the marginalised. Now I have the honour of co-managing the food bank with Penny Downes, though following in Chris Emson’s footsteps is a hard act to follow! We stand on the shoulders of giants.
“Probably it would be no surprise to you to know that demand is rising. What was more of a surprise to me was some of the situations that we encounter.
“First, the sheer speed with which personal circumstances can change. Loss of employment, onset of illness, relationship breakups, losing tenancy of a house – any of these can make the change from coping to not coping.
“Secondly, the impact – in terms of anxiety, uncertainty, effect on children – there’s hardly a week that goes by when I am not reduced to tears by someone’s story.
“Thirdly, the difficulty people have in getting help. The benefits system is great until you want to access it fast. It depends on complex form-filling and it is slow, and the people most in need require urgency and are not likely to cope well with long, complex forms. The housing provision is the same: people in desperately inadequate, damp, cramped, expensive housing don’t get ready alternatives easily.
“I was greatly affected by a piece of scripture that everyone else seems to be thoroughly familiar with, but I wasn’t! In Matthew 25 Jesus says that the King welcomes into the kingdom the ones who fed Him when he was hungry, clothed Him when He was without clothes, or visited Him when He was in prison or suffering injustice. Those righteous ones asked “When did we do that?” And Jesus said, “In as much as you did it for the least of these, you did it for me.” Isn’t that astonishing?
“The food bank dispenses food. It also offers face-to-face advice on benefits, on housing, on energy. It provides high quality refreshments because people deserve to be treated well and welcomed warmly, and that’s how friendships are built. Some people come in even though they don’t need food, but they do value warmth and hospitality and we so much welcome that.
“I’m just so thankful I live in a community that is so generous, so ready to help. Please keep the food bank and food bank clients in your prayers. And if you come across anyone who needs help, send them our way. Wednesdays from 1pm – 3pm at the Lower Baptist Hall in Cinque Ports Street. We will make them very welcome and they won’t walk away empty-handed. God bless you.”
Image Credits: Kt bruce .