In partnership with Alvaston Churches Together, the local Sure Start Centre and Fareshare, St Mary’s has a dedicated team of volunteers who collect, sort and help distribute food and basic toiletries every week, to referred families.
If you would like to donate food or toiletries they can be dropped off at St Mary’s, Boulton Lane. Alvaston DE24 0GE anytime during the week when the church is open (please check our calendar for opening times) or on Tuesday mornings directly to St Michael's Church Hall on Elvaston Lane.
A weekly 'information update for donations' via email is available. This will notify you of the 2-3 most needed items for the following week's food and basics bags. If you would like to receive these updates please contact Denise Garton by email: denise.garton@ntlworld.com
As part of the development of this existing Foodbank service running out of the Children’s Centre on Cockayne Street, the ACT churches now fund a Derby City Mission Debt and Welfare Adviser for two sessions every month. This is part of a support hub vision that the Childen’s Centre and the ACT Foodbank team are seeking to implement. Developing this missional enterprise, by not only providing emergency food, but engaging in addressing the causes of the food poverty in the local community.These services at the Children’s Centre are being flagged as an example of good practice across the Children’s Centres and wider early help services within the Local Authority.
Through being alongside these families, we have not only witnessed first hand their gratitude for both the advice given at the clinic and the receipt of the food bags, but also had the opportunity to build relationships with both the clients and staff, offer pastoral and prayer support, and share faith stories. Please continue to support this growing ministry.