There is no end to the need – Glasgow churches rally to help the poorest as recession hits Glasgow’s poorest
21 December 2009
Glasgow Churches are responding to the recession with new projects to help combat the increasing poverty problem.
Destiny Church are located in 4 city locations and have sent out hundreds of food hampers through their Destiny's Angels helpline initiative, say they are struggling to meet the huge needs of poor Glaswegians.
Andrew Owen Pastor for Destiny Church, said: "One lady walked from Dennistoun to Shawlands for a hamper last week.
"There are hundreds of ordinary Glasgow folks with no money and no food. We desperately need a bigger supply of food, as there is no end to the need.
"We are buying a new building in the heart of the city (Townhead) to further facilitate the process, and create a call centre to serve Scotland with the Angels initiative."
Services at the church in the run-up to Christmas have been packed, with attendance in its Glasgow and Edinburgh churches swelling to more than 2,000 for the first time last week, and more than 100 youth from deprived areas attending their youth church.
And in Yorkhill, Glasgow Westend Vineyard Church has started a new initiative called StoreHouse, collecting food and working in partnership with Starter Packs Glasgow to distribute it to those in need.
Jamie Watters, Senior Pastor for the Vineyard, said: "As a church, we have tried to identify what are some of the more pressing needs of people in Glasgow during this recession.
"We have become acutely aware that, with the price of utilities such as gas and electricity not falling with the price of oil, many people are facing the choice of eating or heating this winter."
He added: "We have noticed that people are much more open to us on the streets whether we are doing healing on the streets or servant evangelism and there is a deep sense of worry about the future with the folk we meet on the streets. We have found that thinking more deeply and doing acts of kindness are flowing as a result."
Even the relatively affluent Bishopbriggs area is seeing the effects of the recession, according to Bishopbriggs Community Church in Park Avenue,whose recent community revealed debt was one of the major issues in the area.
Community Pastor Grant Campbellsaid: "We formed a debt management team, based on volunteers from the church, who have been on training to allow them to act as "budget coaches" for members of our community and are planning to host a "Coping with the Credit Crunch" in Feb 2009.
"Rather than reinvent the wheel, we're working with the Citizens Advice Bureau, Christians Against Poverty, Credit Union and other organisations to tackle this issue in the Bishopbriggs area. We also hope to offer a simple "Budget Coach" training course for folks who need help with family budgeting."
Ends
Notes to Editors:
For further Information, please contact:
· Ian Black, on 07704773382
· Grant Campbell, Community Pastor, The Well Bishopbriggs, on 0141 762 1473 21
· Jamie Watters, Senior Pastor, Glasgow Westend Vineyard, on 0141 334 6746
· Andrew Owen, Pastor, Destiny Church, 0141 616 6777
Contacts for more information or advice on debt:
· Consumer Credit Counselling Service: www.cccs.co.uk 0800 138 1111
· National Debtline: www.nationaldebtline.co.uk 0808 808 4000
· www.bbc.co.uk/hardchristmas/toughseason/organisations.shtml
· The Salvation Army www.salvationarmy.org.uk is one of the largest, most diverse providers of social services in the UK after the Government. Founded in East London in 1865, it is now working in 111 countries worldwide, including providing professional services to meet the need of homeless individuals.
Starter Packs Glasgow can be found at http://www.starterpacks.org.uk/
· Credit Consumer Counselling Service
www.bbc.co.uk/hardchristmas/toughseason/meetexperts03.shtml
Ian Black on 07704773382
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