Fallingbrook Heights Baptist Church

FHBC News from the Committee Chairs

Churches by the Bluffs Food Bank
Karen Fraser

Until May of this year the food bank operated out of the temporary facilities on Danforth Ave. Finally, in May it was possible to move back to the newly renovated facilities at Birchcliff United Church. Everyone was very pleased to be back and delighted with the improvements and new additions. Over the year the clientele has changed somewhat. Now the Teesdale clients have their own food bank but our food bank has gained some residents from the Regent Park area which is being rebuilt. We also have several homeless people as clients now. Between 160 – 185 individual or family hampers are being given out weekly. Depending on the need, some clients receive a hamper once, some two times and some three or four times a month. The food bank continues to provide coffee and sandwiches each week, as many of the clients arrive not having eaten for several days!

The food programs have been expanded to meet the changing needs. A staples program, which includes such things as beans and rice, has been set up for the clients from different cultures. There are clients who are on chemo therapy who need Ensure or Boost and we also have clients with addictions who often take their sandwiches with them as they can eat only a certain times.

The new shower facilities and a washer and dryer are meeting the needs of our homeless clients. The larger Boutique room has allowed space for more clothing, linens and kitchen utensils for the clients. A volunteer, Mary Haines, continues to provide free income tax filing help and others help direct clients to programs for affordable housing and medical assistance. As you can see, God is certainly expanding and increasing the ministry of our food bank.

We have done well in supporting the food bank ministry. From October 1st 2006 to October 31st 2007 (13 months), Fallingbrook Baptist provided approximately $2600.00 for the ministry. This amount is made up of $1000.00 to the Capital Gain Campaign, and about $600.00 from our “Get Cracking“fund raiser. Well done! The remaining came from our monthly church support and individual donations. There has also continued to be regular food gift donations. Thank you!

We have wonderful volunteers in the persons of Linda Moor, Joan Platt, Don and Vriginia Stewart, and Rose and John Madden. The food bank ministry could not operate without the sacrificial work of the volunteers! They are our missionaries to our community. Thank you!!

Anyone is welcome to drop in and see our food bank ministry in action. You will all be invited to the formal dedication of the newly renovated facilities that will be held in the spring.

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