APRIL FOCUS - Norwich Foodbank

Prayer Letter

'God of all, we cry out to you for help.
In your mercy, hear our prayer.
Protect us, Lord, and be with us especially those of us most vulnerable during this coronavirus crisis.
Move us to reach out in love to our neighbours near and far.
So that the humble may be exalted, the hungry filled with good things.
Grant us the courage not to rush back to our old ways, but to rebuild our world together,
creating foundations of justice, with equality and peace for all.
Amen.'

Prayer: Catherine Gorman/CAFO 

As we take time to consider and celebrate all the good that the Norwich food bank does to support those that are in need, let us give praise and thanks to God for:
1.    All the food and gifts donated that are making sure we keep up with demand
2.    New and existing volunteers, adapting to the challenges we all face
3.    Ongoing good health for the Trustees, Keith and Hannah and for their energy and passion for the work which helps to sustain them
4.    The opportunity to employ a new part time member of staff; a Project Officer will be joining the team in the next few months
5.    The generosity of so many donors at Christmas, meaning we could give out extra food, vouchers and gifts during December
6.    The schools and charities and other groups and individuals helping families with remote learning and extra support at this time
7.    The continued 'community spirit' in so many, wanting to help in whatever way they can in their local area or further afield
8.    The funds we have to support people with gas and electric shortfalls and the relief so many of them express at having this gift alongside the food parcel
9.    The support many local families have received via Christian charity ‘Acts435’ in the past few weeks (help with school shoes / uniform / cooking equipment). For this charity and its supporters as a whole who help so many in times of crisis – as the bible says, ‘distributed to anyone who has a need’, hence the charity’s name
10.   For the letters and messages of thanks received from recipients to the food bank.

Psalm 91 verses 1-6 'Whoever goes to the LORD for safety, whoever remains under the protection of The Almighty,
can say to Him, ‘You are my defender and protector.
You are my God; in You I trust.’ He will keep you safe from all hidden dangers and from all deadly disease.
He will cover you with His wings; you will be say in His care;
His faithfulness will protect and defend you.
You need no fear any dangers at night or sudden attacks during the day or plagues that strike in the dark or the evils that kill in daylight.

We pray for:

1. The volunteers we know and others known to us personally who have had or are recovering from Covid and for health and protection for those who are well
2. The government, councils and other local decision makers, especially concerning ‘ending’ lockdown and opening up of schools, businesses and other areas
3. The new Project Officer as they start working with us and for Hannah as she inducts and trains
4. The many individuals (single people, couples and families) in temporary accommodation at the moment who are longing to be settled
5. Those awaiting their first or second vaccine and for those who have received it. For the sharing of knowledge and information so the world can benefit from the different treatments and vaccines available
6. Our Trustee team as they seek a new member for the board – for the right person to come forward
7. Stuart, our dedicated Citizen’s Advice worker, as we signpost over 40 households a month to him for further support. For wisdom for each case and for positive progress for these individuals and families

Foodbank Prayer
'For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink;
I was a stranger and you took me in. Matthew 25:35

God of faithfulness, Your generous love supplies us with all that we need.
We know that all we have is yours.
We celebrate the work that you have done in Norwich and Norfolk through foodbank by means of the generous suppor
Accept our offering of worship and service.
May your Spirit empower us to be your hands and feet in our community as we continue to serve those in crisis.
We pray that you bless all those who give and receive.
Increase the capacity of foodbank; help the food to get to those who need it most.
Amen

The Norwich Foodbank
          
Up until March 2020, WBC along with other Wymondham churches and the Rotary Club were able to help in the collection and distribution of food parcels on behalf on the Norwich Foodbank.
However, since the first lockdown, the foodbank has had to reorganise its operations and now works out of the main warehouse in Norwich with all food and other goods being delivered by volunteers.
We heard last week that the Foodbank has delivered more than 15,000 parcels over the last year which is an increase of 22% on the year before.
Hannah Worsley is the manager of the foodbank and is delighted that we are going to be keeping the foodbank in our prayers for April. She has sent us the Spring Newsletter together with the most recent prayer letter from February with joys and concerns, both of which are attached.
In addition, Hannah has sent some Easter prayer requests which are below.
So this month, there is not a set prayer but lots of prayer requests from the Foodbank for us to use throughout April.
Easter:

•        For the hope of Easter to permeate our communities and our lives at this time when it does feel cautiously hopeful
•        For those we give Easter eggs to to have a glimmer at least of what the real message of Easter actually is
•        For those of us who did specific reflections and fasting during Lent (some of us lived on £1 for all food costs for 5 ish days) to remember the empathy we felt for those we serve each day and to not lose that connection (https://norwichfoodbank.blog/)

 
General:

•        We have another new Trustee - Katie - so we welcome her to the team
•        Our Project Officer has started - Iain - so again we welcome him and pray for him and Katie as they find their feet / role within the charity
•        Wisdom for us - staff and Trustees - as well as foodbanks / charities / companies etc across the city and country as we look to open up further, but not too soon and in a safe and managed way. For understanding in the middle period from those we work with and for our plans to be clear and safe at every step

 
Also please do pray for those we serve - some who have been coming to us on and off for a long time, others we see once and never again. For the issues they face to be 'sorted' and for them to find strength to face each day when sometimes it will feel like the situation just won't end or improve.

Foodbank Spring News Letter - click here to read the newsletter