Food Hampers
Hello. My name is David Coupland and I want to tell you a little about the Caring Hands Ministry and, in particular, the Food Hampers that the church distributes to those in crises.
Let me first ask have you or your family ever gone hungry that is been unable to buy food to feed yourself or your children? I guess there are a number of you who have had that experience.
I have and as a child what I remember most is the generosity of the community in which I was brought up. Food would be passed over the garden fence from the neighbours or delivered to the door.
Why does Caring Hands and the Food Hamper project exist?
Our church provides food hampers to church members in a similar way. To people who might have little or no income, be caught up in the benefit’s system bureaucracy or awaiting confirmation that they can stay in this country.
“My brothers and sisters, if people say they have faith, but do nothing, their faith is worth nothing. Can faith like that save them? A brother or sister in Christ might need clothes or food. If you say to that person, “God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat,” but you do not give what that person needs, your words are worth nothing. In the same way, faith by itself — that does nothing — is dead.” James 2:14-17
We provide because we are all part of the church family. However the resources used to purchase these hampers enable us to provide only eight or nine each month. Increasingly, need far outweighs supply. Increasingly the need for hampers comes from outside the church community.
The Bible is clear what our reaction should be:
“I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you invited me into your house. I was without clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then the good people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you alone and away from home and invite you into our house? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?’ “Then the King will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me.’” Matthew 25:35-40
What are we looking for?
We’ve set up food donation points in each of our congregations, alongside the Connections table. We’re looking for foodstuff that is dried or in tins or jars: cereals, biscuits, dried pasta, sauces, soups, beans, etc. When there are special offers or “buy one get one free” why not donate the free one? The Bible is very clear that when we give in abundance God repays us in a similar way.
Looking to the future we hope to start a food bank in conjunction with other churches in Portsmouth. This ministry has the potential for amazing growth but it does rely on us being prepared to give and give generously and give consistently.
At some point we will need volunteers to help deal with the increasing amounts of food to be distributed. However, at this time, it is groceries we need. So I am asking that whenever you visit the supermarket remember those who are unable to do so.
Congregational contacts:
In Portsmouth, contact: David Coupland
In Gosport, contact: Geoff Wood
In Havant, contact: Steve Carey
In Waterside, contact: Amanda Smith