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THE FOOD CUPBOARD MINISTRY AT SMB
“Providing practical help for people in need”
In the early 90s the Church family realised that there was a need for emergency short-term assistance for families who found themselves in acute distress and for whom the State benefit system could offer no immediate help. Their response was to organise a “Food Cupboard”.
Basic food lists and suggested menus have been evolved to create two food packs: one which will feed a family of four for one week and one for a small family, eg a single mother and baby (with nappies and baby milk as required). All physical help is given freely.
We accept gifts of non-perishable food (preferably from our basic food list below): perishable goods to supplement each pack are purchased as required using Church funds, and very gratefully received monetary donations which can be gift aided.
Cereal Sugar Long life milk Jam
Tea bags Dry pasta Squash Evaporated milk
Tinned fruit Tinned meat Jelly Tinned fish
Tinned soup Pasta sauce Tinned savoury mince Tinned potatoes
Biscuits Drinking chocolate Tinned rice pudding Long grain rice
Instant whip Tinned stewing steak Tinned vegetables Baked beans
Chocolate spread
All requests for food parcels are received from Children’s Social Services. It is safe to say that over the years the Food Cupboard has become the prime unbiased source upon which these professional people call for emergency short-term support for families in need.
372 food parcels were delivered in 2009, providing practical help to 495 adults and 759 children in need.
Some food-giving agencies will only work within certain land boundaries or with certain kinds of problems - and during office hours. We cover the area served by Milton Keynes Social Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year – hunger does not keep office hours.
Because financial resources are not limitless, the Food Cupboard restricts its giving to families with children and does so regardless of race, colour or creed – hunger is universal.
The Food Cupboard also supports the Women’s Refuge (MK Act). This organisation provides a safe haven and shelter for women and their children who have suffered physical, mental and sexual abuse.
At Easter time we like to include chocolate Easter eggs for the children of the family with the food parcels.
Many schools in Milton Keynes very generously donate the proceeds of their Harvest Festival to the Food Cupboard.
Approximately 75 families are helped at Christmas-time with festive food and presents for each member of the family.