Giving

St Chad's Church			St Chad's Church
St Chad's Church		Giving & Caring Charities...Eco-congregation...Gifting ...Stewardship

Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (PAFRAS)

Extract from a recent PAFRAS Newsletter.

The cost of the food and storage that PAFRAS distributes is worth approximately £15,000 per year. Donations are always needed in order to sustain this vital service.

The provision of food has always been a central pillar of the services that PAFRAS provides. As the demands for this service increased, in 2008 we recognised that it was necessary to secure completely separate premises to take in donations of food, make up food parcels, and deal with fresh produce. As such, in November 2008 we took on a commercial unit which meets food standards regulations and houses fridges and freezers.

From this unit, up to 100 food parcels are made up every week, as well as toiletry packs. Moreover, we provide up to 140 hot meals a week at our twice weekly drop-in; along with beverages and fruit. The food that is provided to people at PAFRAS, in some cases, literally sustains people. Destitution has a severe impact upon people's physical and mental health, and a lack of food leads to malnutrition, and a range of illnesses. Whilst the food that PAFRAS provides cannot provide a full and adequate diet, for many it is a lifeline.

This food comes entirely from donations, and it is solely because of these that we are able to maintain food provision at the rate that we have. 38 Churches provide food on a weekly basis. Nevertheless, even with this support we are always in need. As well as food donations, we are always able to accept financial donations for food. Moreover, we also urgently need people who can offer us a few hours a week to assist with our food programme. At the moment, all of the food is made up by Chris Manning, a member of our management committee, along with volunteer input from Patrick Hardy, and it takes over 20 hours a week to prepare. If you can support us in any way please contact us on 0113 2622163 or through our website.

The process itself is often very long-drawn out and very confusing, especially if English is not your first language. Most are therefore rejected, and may appeal once, if they know how. Some are rejected, and left in limbo, as the Government is currently not sending people back to their countries for political reasons, eg. Iraq .

How you can help

We have put a box in the back of church to receive regular donations from church members, and a group of us will take them to PAFRAS. Please, when you do your shopping, could you buy an extra tin or packet (not fresh food) to help someone who is hungry? Any of these would help:

Tins : meat (not pork), tomatoes, tuna, sardines, vegetables, vegetable soup, fruit, baked beans.

Packets : rice, pasta , noodles, cereals (wheat, oat, rice), semolina, tea bags, sugar, biscuits, chocolate,

Also: long life milk, vegetable oil, fruit juice.

Toiletries, bedding and good second-hand clothes are also much needed.

Calling all children! Please could you save your empty small plastic water/drink bottles (& their lids) and bring them to church or Sunday Club? PAFRAS can use them when splitting a large bottle of shampoo etc. into individual-sized packs for distribution. Thank you!

Here are some web links for further information:

www.riponleeds.anglican.org (follow the link in 'News' to 'Bishop calls for asylum overhaul'. There is also a link to the ' Still Destitute ' report at the bottom of the item.)

www.jrct.org.uk (follow links to the report. The report is 30 pages, or there is a summary of 2 pages.)

www.pafras.org.uk (this website has regular newsletters)

Matthew 25: 35&36 may inspire us. Can you make it a habit, part of your weekly shop, to get something for these destitute human beings? If you can't get to church one week, donations can be left in the Parish Centre.

ANY donation you can make will help. If you'd like to be a part of the team taking things to St Aidan's please contact one of us.

Gill Griggs and Jenny Willison