The Storehouse day centre is open Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 11.30 to 13.30. We give out free tea, coffee, breakfasts, lunches, food bags, clothes and signpost customers to relevant services that work within the Storehouse during opening times.
Why we do it
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus says,
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me.” Matthew 25, 35 – 36 …and we are just trying to follow in his footsteps.
The Storehouse ministry, an arm of Southend Vineyard, started over 14 years ago. Tins of food were brought in by members of the church and distributed to those in need on a Sunday morning. The ministry quickly developed into a 3 day a week drop in centre where teas coffee and breakfasts and food bags where given out from our Church premises. In 2007 a full time member of staff was employed to further develop the ministry.
After 2 years of negotiating with Southend Borough Council, Coleman Street Community Centre has become the Storehouse’s new home; a ten-year lease of the building has been agreed. Extensive building works has put the centre back into a fully functioning community centre after 3 years of disuse. The centre sits at the foot of three large tower blocks which house in the region of 1500 people.
The Storehouse ministry has grown significantly since our move in January 2009 with many other agencies also now contributing to the work we do. Outside of the Storehouse general opening times our partners deliver learning, creative writing classes, youth art courses, urban art, confidence boosting classes and a fitness club.
There are many new events and programs in the pipeline for the future. Food distribution has more than trebled with over 800 clients currently on the books, on average 300 food bags are given out every week by a growing team of 40 volunteers many of whom come from within the client base. As the demand for more food came so did many generous contributions. Sainsburys Southend donates food 3 days a week with further similar relationships being developed to support this increasing need. It is our heart to utilise the Community centre reaching out to every age and people group providing them with an opportunity to develop skills, friendships and relationships.