Help from Ebenezer Church programmes in Bristol

Since 2012, Ebenezer Church has been operating a food bank for the low income in the Bristol area. This centre is operated in partnership with Filton Community Church as well as other agencies. Clients of the charity can be given a free parcel of food as well as assistance from the other programmes that Ebenezer Church may be able to provide, as noted below.

Receive food parcels from Ebenezer Church

The number of people in Bristol that are struggling to keep up with their bills is way too high. Many residents are hit by benefit sanctions or the money they bring home in their pay cheque is not equal to a livable wage. This is when the church can often help.

The food bank was created in partnership with others, such as the staff at Filton, and it relies on donations. This means that the wider community is also technically a partner to it, as if a local school or business (such as a grocery store or restaurant) does not donate food then the location could not work. The cupboards would be empty without their help. The centre also relies on as many as 200 volunteers to collect and sort the parcels for distribution.

To apply for a free parcel of food, which may have up to 3 days worth of groceries, the family that is local to Bristol should enquire with their social worker or care professional. If those are not options, then Ebenezer Church also partners with doctors in the area. If the care professional finds them eligible, then applicant will be given a voucher which they can then use at the Ebenezer food bank. In total, there are over 3000 residents that receive aid a year, and the food bank is passing out over 40 tons of goods as well.

Additional services and support for clients

There are hundreds of families that say the use of the food bank, even if the box of groceries only lasts a few days, can help them make it through a crisis. Not only that, but it has allowed those Bristol residents to use their money for paying other bills. This particualr food bank sees and increase in requests during the winter, when higher heating costs hit struggling residents in Bristol. So that is one major benefit of the Ebenezer Church programme, but they do so much more around signposting and debt counselling too.

As noted, the church partners with other agencies, and they range from the Trussell Trust to Christian Debt Counselling organisations. This allows Ebenezer Church to provide many other forms of support to their clients so they can get back on track.

-CAP works shops and specialists drop in a the North Bristol Ebenezer Church to offer help with debt arrears.
-Volunteers at the food bank signpost client to benefits including welfare and housing.
-During the winter, people struggling with energy costs can receive advice on payment plans and other heating bill programmes.
-Donations are not only used for the food bank, but there can also be toiletries, clothing, shoes, and other items collected for the low income.

Those are just some examples of what the volunteers at Ebenezer Church can help with. While some, such as the food bank, are more under their control, others they rely on partners. The address is 286 Filton Ave, Bristol, Avon, BS7 0BA, or call 117 979 1399.