Norwich church's Christmas bags of kindness 

Hundreds of Bags of Kindness have been distributed by volunteers at Gateway Vineyard church in Norwich to help make Christmas a bit more special for families and individuals this year.

Volunteers recently packed almost 360 bags crammed full of festive treats including chocolates, biscuits, crisps and popcorn.

Church administrator, Zosia Knight, said: “The bags are going to refugees and asylum seekers at English+, and some of the many community groups that Gateway runs, including families at Growkids, Growbaby, older people in the community, Sanctuary, and parent and toddler group POLOs as well as those nominated personally by members of Gateway.

“We do it all to make people's Christmas extra special, at a time which is not easy for everyone. There are those living alone, struggling financially with the cost of living, recently bereaved or in need of some extra encouragement, especially at this time of year. 

"We are putting into action what Jesus meant when he said to 'Love your neighbour', and we hope that the bags of kindness will help to go some way to making Christmas time special for all those who receive one," said Zosia.
 
Funding for the bags of £3,300 has come from Love Your Neighbour (HTB), Norfolk Community Foundation, Tesco’s Harford Hill store, proceeds of a church fundraising quiz in November attended by over 100 people and individual donations.

www.gatewayvineyard.church
 
Pictured above and below are Gateway volunteers packing the Bags of Kindness recently.