Great Shelford Free Church : Monthly Mission Focus

Mission Focus for November 2025 - John Huntington Food Bank

MISSION TO FEED THE HUNGRY AT HOME
Every day all over the UK people turn up at food banks looking for their next meal. How come, in this day and age? Typically they are already receiving help but have hit a crisis; their benefit has not been paid this week, or they have had an unexpected expense. A few suffer from an addiction, and this week’s money has been wasted on that, so they need ‘strictly food only’ vouchers; they are unlikely to cook something sensible from a provisions bag. Even very well-paid people can suddenly lose part or all of their income; do they pay to keep a roof over their heads or do they eat this week? Tough choice. And what about families who rely on free school dinners for their children’s main meal? What do they do during the school holidays?

Our nearest food bank operates from the John Huntingdon’s Charity (JHC) at Sawston, and it serves Sawston and the surrounding villages. JHC works closely with the Great Shelford Parochial Charity, so it covers ‘our patch’. It is funded by income from JHC’s own properties, donations from local schools, businesses, organisations and private individuals.

SHALL WE JOIN IN AND FEED OUR HUNGRY?
On the positive side, many bags of food that are given are ‘one-offs’; help is asked for, never refused, the need is filled, the crisis has been dealt with. Almost always advice is given and other means of help are offered along with the food bag. What’s in a bag? A starchy food like pasta, beans or rice, some protein, tinned fruit and veg; the makings of a main meal for a couple of days. Something to give a spot of comfort, too; coffee, tea, a packet of biscuits…… hardly the ultimate in luxury. Very few are tempted to abuse such basics, not a lot of cheating happens!

SHALL WE START AND SEE IF WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
There is a hamper on the little coffee table in the lounge foyer to receive your packets and tins of food. A notice with ideas and guidelines is inside it. Denise will take your contributions to JHC each week. Donations of money rather than food are also very welcome. Ask Denise for details.
So far this year 600 bags of food have been given out, but at JHC they expect the demand to increase significantly over the next few months with the onset of winter and the worsening economic conditions for many.

WHAT COULD WE DO RIGHT NOW TO HELP?
Christmas is coming, and JHC are preparing the 150 or more festive hampers they will give out this year (in addition to the usual food bags) following on from the 750 they have distributed over the last 5 years. Shall we donate something to help fill those hampers? Click here for a list of ideas.

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Mission Focus for November 2025 - John Huntington Food Bank

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