The Care Centre Fund (formerly the Feed Fund)
// If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry. // Luke 3v11
Origins
In 2008, members of the St Albans Vineyard Church began to gather food and essential items to give away to wherever it was needed in the local community - creating the FEED food bank. We had no idea then of the level of need existing in ‘affluent’ St Albans. FEED soon grew into a highly popular and successful Vineyard ministry that partnered with over a hundred local churches, schools, businesses, charities and organisations, to provide thousands of people within the district who were living in poverty, with food and essential items. Other ministries were born out of that growth, such as REFUEL, KIT and PARENT SUPPORT. The Vineyard Care Centre is the parent umbrella under which all these ministries run; in addition to this, the Care Centre partners with various charities and agencies to meet its ultimate goal: To respond to the Church’s ongoing commitment to live out the Bible’s teaching to help those in need and stand up with the marginalised.
The Fund
In order to meet the increasing demand, we launched the Care Centre Fund (then launched as the Feed Fund) in July 2013 to church members. Since then, the Care Centre’s remit has broadened and developed, and now a number of businesses and organisations generously give. The Fund aims to meet three primary needs:
Provision & Resources
To help us facilitate long-term support for individuals and families, as well as supply basic items, food deficit, extra clothing and equipment for KIT, and food along with fun activities for REFUEL. The money also supports those who’ve joined our recently launched BRIDGE programme with food, recourses, courses and equipment.
Operational & Staffing Costs
The Care Centre operation is only possible through a huge number of volunteers, plus charities and agencies, giving their time, resources and expertise. This means we have a large spectrum of operational, training and a small staff team cost to cover. The Fund goes towards ensuring we can facilitate these in order to safely and effectively support our Care Centre guests.
Crisis Support & Contingency Support
Over the last year we’ve had to rapidly adapt our processes in order to response to the Covid pandemic. The Fund enabled us to re-direct resources to effectively respond to fast-changing needs. For example, we were able to provide much needed resources and equipment to individuals and families, provide new home starter kits, supply children with educational resources. Your financial donation will ensure we are able to get people the support and resources they need at that moment in time.
How to Give
CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR
Every Christmas we give a Real Advent Calendar to families and individuals who visit the Vineyard Care Centre. These boast fairtrade and palm oil-free chocolate, along with a book telling the Christmas story with some fun challenges!
Gift a family with an Advent Calendar this year and text 2021ADVENT to 70085 to donate £5.
You will be charged £5 plus your standard text fee.
ONLINE GIVING
Our preferred method is bank transfer as there are no hidden charges.
Barclays Bank
Sort Cod: 20-74-09
Account No: 0063 4913
Account Name: Vineyard Christian Fellowship of St Albans .
Please reference your payment with ‘CARE CENTRE FUND’ and your surname.
If you'd like to make a regular gift then you can also set up a standing order with your bank.
CHEQUES
At this time we ask that you make your donation online. If you have to donate by cheque please note that there may be a delay before the funds are drawn down. Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Vineyard Christian Fellowship of St Albans’ and referenced with ‘CARE CENTRE FUND’ on the back.
gift aid
If you’re a UK tax payer you can claim tax relief & increase your gift by 20% or more. Simply complete a Gift Aid Form.
