Local church gives hope to those less fortunate

(By Melinda Jennings - Bond University Journalism student)

Church members and volunteers have been selling food and clothes for little or no cost to the community, through a warehouse to help locals.

Elevation pastor and Storehouse One manager Andy Backhouse said approximately 500-600 locals passed through Storehouse One each week buying essential items ranging from fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables to shoes and clothes.

Pastor Backhouse said customers needed to register to shop at Storehouse One.

He said a wide range of customers shopped at the store, from single parents and families, to retired people who need that little financial assistance.

Pastor Backhouse said around 35 volunteers aged from teenagers to retirees manned the store.

“You get the older generations which are fantastic and then the younger guys who love to get in and pack boxes and do all the heavy lifting,” he said.

“More and more people who access our services want to return and volunteer which is fantastic too.”

Local resident Shana Thomas said she was first a customer but then became a volunteer.

Miss Thomas said volunteering her time to help at the store had changed her perspective on life.

“I started realising it’s not about me and it’s all about God and other people and how you can help,” she said.

“It makes me feel good to give back to the community and I just love working here as a volunteer.”

Storehouse One is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 10am and 2pm, for more information call 07 5507 6999.