Woburn Sands Winter Shelter for Homeless People

There was an excellent turnout, with a good contingent from St Michael's, for the first meeting of those interested in helping with the homeless shelter at the Old Fire Station, Woburn Sands for the threee months from December through to February. It looks like at least two teams, and possibly three, will be available to cover every Sunday night during the winter period. If anyone else feels able to help, in any capacity, please let Anne Bircham know by email: anne.bircham@btinternet.com. She will be delighted to receive more offers of help and it will be something that the congregation here at St Michael's will feel proud to be a part of.

Each guest who visits the homeless shelter on any Sunday evening in December through February is to be given a pack of essential or useful provisions. If you can help by donating such items there will be a box at the back of church from this Sunday and we will be most grateful. We hope to include:

Packet of tissues, Razor, Soap, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Mars bar/Lion bar, Wet wipes, Lypsyl, Pair of socks, Biscuits (small pack), Flannel Fruit juice (small packs), Polo mints

Other items that would be most welcome would be:

New Underwear, T-Shirts, Gloves, Woolly hats, Bedding

MILTON KEYNES FOOD BANK

Hunger is not just a third world problem. Even in our prosperous new city of Milton Keynes, there are many people living on the edge of poverty and The Food Bank has been able to help thousands of individuals and familes who have experienced a crisis of some type.

All it takes is a sudden, unexpected event - a bereavment, illness, redundancy or theft - to throw people into a genuine crisis.

National statistics show that some wards of Milton Keynes are within 10% of the most deprived areas in England. In one ward, the number of people relying on means tested benefits is 50% higher than the England average.

The Food Bank provides people with essential food supplies at a time when they need them most, covering the days or sometimes weeks before other parts of the social care infrastructure can come into play.

How Can You Help

Money - Financial donations to the Food Bank are most welcome as they enable us to buy specific items when stocks run low. They also help fund the essential administratioin required to operate Food Bank such as printing and postage etc.

Food - Food items as listed on our Food Bank Shopping List are always welcome provided they are In Date and in Good Condition. Please limit yourselves to the items shown on the Shopping List, as our storage facilities are limited. NB. The shopping list can be found on the Food Bank website.

Time - Why not become a Food Bank volunteer? Most opportunites are during normal working hours; however, Food Bank does require help for specific events from time to time so why not get involved?

Spread the Word! - Could you encourage your work colleagues, pub or club members to donate just one tin of food a month and become one of our growing band of satellite Collection Points? Every single tin makes a difference.

Special Event - Why not consider making The Food Bank your beneficiary when doing a sponsored run or cycle, baking cakes or selling teas and coffees?

For more details visit the website at www.mkfoodbank.org.uk