Pictured: Steve Sully delivering in the community

Whilst virtually every Hereford resident ate well and relaxed over the festive period, not everyone was privileged to join in.

Some adults may have gone for up to three days without food so a local church has been seeking to find those in need to help with their 52-week-a-year support service.

The Challenge Community Church in Belmont Road, Hereford has been running the Storehouse Ministry for the past eight-years, an additional support service for residents in need.

Following recommendations from Social Services, housing associations and schools, Storehouse Ministry provides food or gas and electric tokens to those residents who have reached crisis point suddenly finding themselves in a desperate situation.

"Our church members supply all the non-perishable goods such as tins of soup, beans, pasta, rice jams or cereals," explains Church Elder Steve Sully, "and this is supplemented by fresh produce, meats, eggs and bread which we buy just prior to delivery.

"People can be quite embarrassed to receive a delivery but are always grateful, thinking of ways to repay the kindness offered to them. It's always amazing how recipients are overwhelmed by the kindness shown to them by others they've never met and are ever unlikely to do so."

Parishioner Dave Harrhy works for Pertemps People Development Group based in St Owens St, has been involved with the project and asked his company to make a donation from its payroll giving scheme to assist in the work of the church.

"I was absolutely delighted when the company said they would contribute £300 meaning the Storehouse can help many more people in need at this time of year, " said Dave. 

"Our business works with many unemployed job seekers in the city, some of whom need just this type of support. And the people we have recommended for help to date have always received an immediate response, it's a service that has a real impact on the lives of those less fortunate."

The company operates an extensive community support programme and is extremely proud of giving back to the communities it works in. Recently surpassing the £150,000 milestone of payroll donations, Storehouse Ministry is just one of over 360 different charities and voluntary organisations supported in recent years.

If you know of anyone in the community who would benefit from the Storehouse Ministry service please telephone Steve on 07785 343203.

For more information about Pertemps People Development Group, please visit their website here: www.ppdg.co.uk