Derby City Mission, like many organisations, has been responding to the recent changes and challenges presented to us. Although some services have had to close, we have remained open to help those most in need.

Our Foodbank has never been in such demand. As the Jubilee clinics are closed, we’ve opened a makeshift Foodbank from which we distribute food parcels to individuals and families each week. Demand has increased by more than three-fold, so we are regularly feeding over 100 people per week. We are so grateful to the team of volunteers who have made up the food parcels, moved them to our Food bank and helped to distribute them.

Every person requesting a food parcel speaks to one of our Jubilee Advisers to understand whether there are underlying reasons, such as debt or loss of a job, which we could help to resolve. Our Jubilee Project is continuing to support people with debt and benefits advice and is working to transform lives as they become debt-free even in these most difficult of times. In the coming months we anticipate that the number of people in debt will increase enormously and we are privileged to be able to help them.

We have been overwhelmed by the response to our website Shop but Can’t Drop campaign to raise funds to ensure we’re able to continue to reach out to so many people. People like Toby*, who contacted us at the beginning of the lockdown as he had lost his job and didn’t have enough money to feed himself. We have been providing food parcels and helping with some debt he had. He said:

At my lowest point, you were there to help me and listen to me. I start a new job on Monday so won’t need any more food from you. Thank you for making a horrible time so much brighter.

Praise the Lord!

*name changed to protect identity