Norwich church shares hope with hampers this Christmas

Hope Initiative, a community outreach project run by Proclaimers church in Norwich has prepared 175 hampers for local people this Christmas.

A packing night was held on December 3, which was the culmination of months of fundraising, making links with local organisations and co-ordinating deliveries of treats and essentials to bless the local community this Christmas.

Bekkie Loades heads up Hope Initiative. She said, “What an incredible packing night! Each box was packed with care and love and will be sent out into Norwich through our partners ensuring that they go to those who need them the most. Putting together a family celebration can put a lot of pressure on those who may already be struggling financially. We want to show people that they are loved and not forgotten during this time as we give them the opportunity to celebrate Christmas well. This project is more than just about the physical items, but about sharing the love of Jesus with the people around us.”

On the packing night, around 30 volunteers prayed for the people who will receive the boxes before they formed a production line to pack, check and finish off the boxes with ribbon. The contents of each box included a Christmas pudding, chocolate, stuffing mix, gravy granules, pasta and sauce, plus a supermarket voucher which people can use to buy perishables. Some of the boxes were tailored for the needs of particular recipients.

Hope Initiative will distribute the boxes to organisations including Hebron Housing, St Martins, Nansa and Norfolk County Council, who will give them to the people they support in time for Christmas.

The value of each box is around £50, and thanks goes to Snellings Charitable Trust who supplied a £3,000 grant. The rest of the money was raised through individual giving by church members, and other events such as a quiz night which raised £480.

The impact of Hope Initiative goes beyond Christmas; Easter and summer events are also run by Proclaimers church as they seek to make connections with their local community and offer a warm welcome to everybody.

Pictured above: Some of the helpers on the packing night at Proclaimers