BCS’ successful Food 4 Life program has ventured out of the Hunter and has started operating in Jannali, in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire.
Established in partnership with Oyster Bay Christian Church, the shop has been open since January and already has a growing client base.
Food 4 Life shops provide vulnerable people experiencing disadvantage with access to nutritional food.
Clients with a Government benefit card register with the BCS Food 4 Life program and in return receive grocery products of their choice.
Clients contribute a small donation to assist with the ongoing provision of the service, which promotes a sense of ownership and enhanced self-esteem for clients participating.
Over 200 families have registered with BCS Food 4 Life – Jannali; almost 300 individual people. Two thirds of the shop’s clients are widowed, divorced or single parents.
Although only operating two days per week, Jannali’s shop has already received feedback that local clients are incredibly grateful for access to nutritional food has allowed them to eat healthily and ensure their cupboards do not end up empty from week to week.
The shop is situated within 30 metres of community centre The Centre and Gloria Jeans Café, both operated by Oyster Bay Christian Church.
Paul Warren, Supervisor at BCS Food 4 Life - Jannali believes the Food 4 Life shop is already helping his local community to make life-transforming choices with great benefit.
“We have a great team who are continually seeking to improve our service and provide spiritual as well as physical nurture. Due to our size we have had to adapt the shopping process so that relationships happen as shopping baskets are filled,” he said.
“We want Jannali to be known as a place of prayer. We begin every day with prayer at 8.30am seeking the Spirit’s guidance and wisdom as we are privileged to enter into lives in this way. We offer a prayer request box, which has been used,” said Paul.
The shop also offers a children’s activity corner and clients are invited to be a part of supporting an overseas Compassion child.
As with all of BCS’ Food 4 Life shops, clients are receiving more than just food when they visit.
BCS Food 4 Life also operates in five Hunter locations; Newcastle, Beresfield, Raymond Terrace, Windale and Wallsend.