Appeal for donations to help Bridlington charity and its foodbank
Re-Store is a drop-in run by the Christ Church Bridlington Network
A Bridlington charity says it needs donations as the cost of living crisis is increasing the demand of its services to help people in need.
Christ Church Bridlington Network runs a drop-in called 'Re-Store' which offers support from its foodbank and cafe that aims to prevent people feeling isolated.
It also hands out toiletries, clothes and other items if needed but the charity needs more.
From January to April this year, they have given out 2256 food parcels to single people and families in need.
The charity says Re-Store is more than just a bag of food. In April 2021, Christ Church launched The Re-Store Hope Hub.
Toni Miles, Team Leader, said: "In order for us to financially keep going, we've had to take certain things off our shopping list that are a bit pricey. We've put pleas out each week because often we get people coming to us saying 'what actually is it that you need?' So when we put it on there on a social media post, the response has been amazing already.
Emma Miles, Lay Multiply Minister at West Hill in the Parish of Bessingby and Bridlington, added: "The whole point of Re-Store is we can meet people's physical needs and that's really important to provide food to families that are really struggling. But actually, Re-Store is more than just a bag of food. There's just so much more things that we can offer through relationships and through identifying what people's needs are.
"On site, we have an adult education suite. We have somebody who can really help with filling in forms and applications. We also have referrals to rehab, 12-step workers that a couple of guys are involved in here and we're looking to increase that, so it's much more than a bag of food.
Reverend Oli Preston, Multiply Minister at Christ Church Bridlington, said: "We have the hope hub running which is a free community cafe where it's about providing connection, giving space for friendships, giving people a space to come and unpack. Often when life gets difficult, it can be really isolating and there could be a lot of shame because if you don't have enough money to buy your food to eat on your table, you won't have enough to buy a cup of tea at a cafe."
The Hope Hub runs alongside the food bank and offers a space for people to access other types of support. People can get a food parcel and then come in to the main church building for cake, coffee and a chat.
The charity adds that through the Hope Hub people with substance misuse issues are able to talk about their options. The Hope Hub is able to refer people in to residential rehab or offer 12 step work within the community.
It says the Hope Hub is a place of connection and relationship where isolated people are finding friendships and those who feel there is no hope and finding out there is.
The charity says one man who was living in his car in the pandemic and suffering with his mental health is now living in a flat, volunteering at The Hope Hub and working towards a brighter future.
Another man came to The Hope Hub whilst struggling with addiction, he checked in each week as he prepared for residential rehab. He has now been in a rehab facility one month and doing well.
Re-Store service
The drop-in service is open on a Monday and Wednesday Morning between 11am and 12 noon and is open to anyone who is in need of support. No referral is needed.
If you are unable to get to our drop-in service due to medical reasons then contact the Re-Store team on 01262 679103 and leave a message if no-one picks up.
If you would like to make a donation of food or toiletries these can be dropped off at the back of church on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10am and 12 noon.
To find out what the charity needs, visit their Facebook page.
Raising awareness
On Sunday 26th June, a team of people from Re-Store took to the streets of Bridlington to 'Sing for your Supper' in a bid to raise awareness and money.
A group of musicians played music and sang for three hours on King Street and others handed out leaflets and had conversations about the work of Re-Store. £226 was raised which will go towards the weekly shopping bill.
Emma Miles, Lay Multiply Minister at West Hill in the Parish of Bessingby and Bridlington, said: "We want to thank everyone who donated on the day. It was a great day raising awareness and money for a great cause, and it was great to see the community of Bridlington getting behind us and donating so generously."
Reverend Oli Preston, Multiply Minister at Christ Church Bridlington, said: "We aim to do more stuff like this in the near future if any musicians would like to join us. It was a great turn out and we are thankful for the support we received and we would welcome more."
You can also find out more about Re-Store here.