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Waveney foodbank feeds hundreds every week 

Waveney foodbank feeds hundreds of people in crisis every week across South Norfolk and North Suffolk and is continuing to do so in spite of the Covid-19 lockdown.

To adapt to the lockdown restrictions the charity is currently operating a mixture of face-to-face distribution centres and around 10 delivery teams along with two warehouses feeding those in crisis. The foodbank has around 150 volunteers.
 
Project manager Matt Scade said: “It’s all about showing the love of Jesus in a practical way. Waveney foodbank was born out of a desire to help people who cannot afford to feed themselves and pay other household bills . Many will go hungry or go without heating, parents will go hungry to feed their children. Many have addiction problems and food is often the last thing on their minds.
 
“When I separated from my wife back in 2003  I was left with two daughters, aged six and four, living in a hostel for four months, uncertain of what would happen. We were finally given a new home in Harleston but I had just £200 to furnish it, buy carpets, electrical goods and food for the three of us, so we had to reply on charity,” said Matt.
 
“Not being a Christian at the time, I was unable to see how much God really loved us and helped us through some tough times. I later realised that God cured me of cancer, aged 27, some 15 earlier, it was my Damascus Road moment after talking to our local vicar in the library.

“There were no foodbanks locally at that time, so when I heard they were thinking about starting a foodbank in 2011, I offered to help. In 2014, God told me very clearly that I was to give up my £20k a year job and devout my time completely to the charity. My new wife, Michala, thought I was mad, but that’s just what I did. We had enough savings and investments to last two years, if we didn’t go mad. Nine years on I am now project manager of Waveney foodbank and still living on those savings. God is good and true to his word, I trust in him… wholly!”
 

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Factfile


Where do you operate: Across South Norfolk and North Suffolk (see map right).

What the charity needs: UHT milk, fruit juice, pasta, tinned vegetables (not baked beans), instant mash.
 
Financial donations can be made to Waveney Foodbank via:  Lloyds plc. Market street,  Diss, IP22 4JZ. Or via BACS: sort code: 77-66-12, account no:  22139560
 
Help for other projects: Waveney foodbank assists homeless charities and local community lunch projects and is currently working with county, district and town councils alongside Covid-19 response teams to bring relief via food to those self-isolating who cannot afford or are unable to access funds.  
 
Prayer requests: Prayer for the government, church leaders struggling to bring ministry to those who need it, and all the friends and families of those who have lost loved ones to coronavirus.
 
Contact details
          
Address: The charity base is at: Unit 9b, Brome Industrial Estate, Brome, IP23 7HN
 
Email: info@waveney.foodbank.org.uk
 
Tel: 07484 394749
 
Website: www.waveney.foodbank.org.uk
 
Getting food support:
You now need to self-refer at all Waveney Foodbank distribution centres. Visiting the Foodbank is classed as an essential journey. The foodbank operates strict cleaning and social distancing measures.
 
Hope Church, Vinces Road, Diss IP22 4HG
Mon – Thur 10-12pm Fri 11-12pm
 
St Luke’s Church, 61 Rigbourne Hill, Beccles NR34 9JQ
Mon and Fri 2-3pm
 
Baptist Church, Station Rd, Beccles NR34 9QQ
Wed 10.30-12.30
 
St Mary’s Church, Steeple End, Halesworth IP19 8LL
Wednesday 10.30 to 11.30am
 
Community Centre, 50 Upper Olland St, Bungay NR35 1BH
Tues 10-11am and Fri 2-3pm
 
St Mary’s Church, Ipswich Road, Long Stratton, NR15 2RL
Fri 12.30-2.30pm

St. John's Church, Broad St, Harleston IP20 9AZ
Tues 2-2.45pm and Fri 3-3.45pm
 
For other areas, call the following numbers and leave a message.
 
Loddon area: call 01508 521179
Poringland area: call 07707 790680
Framlingham area: call 07388 791126
Stradbroke area: call 01379 388493
 
If you are struggling to afford food and are self-isolating call 07484 394749.


Published: 14/04/2020


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