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Norwich churches offered Christmas hampers 

Christian youth project ENYP is offering Norwich churches the chance to join its successful food poverty initiative and receive Christmas food hampers to give out.

For the last several years ENYP has been running a food poverty initiative called the Picnic project supporting thousands of children, young people and families. In the last 18 months alone it has seen an increase of over 460% in deliveries, which has given it an opportunity to work alongside local churches, to help meet the needs of thousands of households and engage with the most vulnerable and isolated in society.
 
Partnerships with over 20 supermarkets and restaurants help to provide food to support the picnic project and facilitates the distribution of food to those who need it most.
 
Lucie Fox, from ENYP, said: “Christmas can be a difficult time for the most vulnerable in our communities, and this year it is likely to be even tougher due to changes in increased energy costs, food shortages, the rising cost of living and the continued impact of Covid-19. This Christmas we will be putting together thousands of our ‘Christmas Joy’ hampers again to deliver to struggling families and individuals across Norwich. The hampers are for families, children, older people and single adults either in financial need or experiencing isolation.”
 
“We have around a hundred hampers which haven’t as yet been allocated and we will be taking pledges for these until December 19 (on a first-come first-served basis as these are going quickly). The hampers will then be delivered between December 20 and 23. If you know of anyone who may benefit from one and would like to make a referral please email the details through to picnic@enyp.org.uk or phone 07599 544038.”
 
In addition to the delivery of food parcels ENYP’s recent work has also included outreach on community estates in Heartsease, North Norwich and City Centre using a double decker bus providing unique engagement opportunities to meet the needs of communities, children and families.

During a six-week period working with partners including Norwich City Council and supported by funders the project engaged with over 1,200 young people.  “We’ve also been partnering with and resourcing churches to support their Christmas outreach events including providing hundreds of oranges for Christingle services,” said Lucie
 
“In 2022 we are launching five new initiatives as part of our Catalyst strategy which will be focusing on detached youth work, family learning/engagement/support, outdoor learning, creative digital youth work as well as leading on equity including a range of projects supporting food insecurity, poverty and mental health.”
 

Keith Morris, 18/12/2021

Published: 18/12/2021
Keith Morris

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