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Norwich Christian project delivers picnic parcels 

Norwich Christian community project ENYP will continue to deliver thousands of ‘picnic bags’ of fresh food during the Coronavirus period to those in need across the city.

ENYP launched its Picnic Project initiative a couple of years ago and since then the demand for the project continues to grow. In 2019, over 11,000 people were fed through the project - an increase of 33% from the previous year.
 
Part of the project includes providing a ‘picnic bag’ of food (fresh produce including fruit, vegetables, and bread) to help those suffering from food poverty, financial hardship and who are in crisis. Clients registered to the project include families, individuals and the elderly.
 
Rev Danny Doran-Smith, ENYP Director, said: “We are aware that the spreading of Coronavirus will impact us all further and until otherwise advised the Picnic Project will continue to deliver its picnic bags of food to those in need in Norwich. In addition to the fresh produce, we are able to provide pre-packaged meals and tinned items to help support those who struggle to shop for themselves.
 
“ENYP’s support is mainly focused on families and children, however, we also support older people and the vulnerable.
 
"We see the impact of food poverty and the inability to meet life’s basic needs as an ever prevalent issue, and in light of the current situation we recognise that individuals and families are likely to be further impacted. We will use our resources to deliver as much food as we can at this time to those in need.
 
“ENYP will continue to do its best to support people, however, we are mindful that with the growing demand we may not be able to meet everyone’s needs, therefore, the most vulnerable will be given priority at this time. New referrals will be put on an emergency waiting list,” said Danny.

Factfile

Project title: Picnic project
 
Who runs the project: ENYP
 
Summary: Provision of ‘picnic’ bags of fresh food to vulnerable individuals and families.
 
Description: ENYP provides a ‘picnic bag’ of food (fresh produce including fruit, vegetables, and bread, as well as pre-packaged meals) to help those suffering from food poverty, financial hardship and who are in crisis. Since the national guidelines were implemented to minimise the spread of the Coronavirus the impact on vulnerable groups, families and individuals is becoming more and more evident, and the demand for food from the Picnic project has also significantly increased. Prior to the Coronavirus outbreak ENYP was distributing food to several hundred each month, now the project is distributing food to support thousands of people.
 
Clients registered to the project include families, individuals and the elderly.
 
ENYP’s typical model of food distribution is through delivery. However in addition to delivering picnic project bags of food to beneficiary’s homes ENYP has also set up a number of ‘pick up points’ working with churches to arrange for food to be available and accessed within community areas. Pick up points are currently available in the NR7 area (Sprowston, Heartsease), city centre, and a further one will soon be established in the New Catton area. These pick up points will help in facilitating the distribution of food quickly to those in most need.
 
Danny Doran-Smith, ENYP Director, shared: “ENYP launched its ‘Picnic project’ initiative a couple of years ago and since then the demand for the project grows year on year. The reality of the current crisis is evidently seen with those we are working with, and the inability to access food and provide for their families is leading to increased emotional stress, an alarming effect on physical health and wellbeing, and an impact on children and their welfare. We are in a privileged position to be able to help families and individuals at this time by delivering food to help them.”
 
Where we operate: across the Greater Norwich area – postcodes NR1, NR2, NR3, NR4, NR5, NR6, NR7, NR8
 
Address: ENYP, PO Box 3609, Norwich, NR7 7XF
 
Public contact detailspicnic@enyp.org.uk and 07599544038
 
Our needs: We are looking for Churches to partner with us in prayer as the needs come to our attention and as we understand further the realities that the vulnerable groups face at this time. In addition as we expand our delivery and collection points we would be interested to hear from people who may be interested in volunteering to help.
 
How we are partnering with others: We would be interested in developing our partnerships with other Churches or organisations who can become a ‘pick up’ point for facilitating the distribution of food to those in need in community areas.
 
Prayer requests: Safety and protection for our staff and volunteers as they collect food and deliver food to beneficiaries
That the food deliveries would be a blessing to individuals and families who are struggling
That we can create ‘community’ and reduce people’s experience of isolation and loneliness
For opportunities to share God’s love through conversation and action






 


Published: 23/03/2020


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