Busby now offering food for the soul
Volunteers at the 2168 Food 4 Life Market when it first opened in 2013.
A food ministry in Sydney's south-west, which has been serving low-income members of the Busby community for the past two years, has evolved into a corps.
The Food 4 Life ministry, led by Salvation Army volunteers Joel and Kianna Spicer, has made a huge impact and gained much respect in the community.
“Food 4 Life happened because the 2168 community, which is the area we are in, was identified as a community that had a problem with food insecurity,” says Joel. “Food insecurity is when people skip meals to feed their kids, pay their bills, that kind of thing.
“We sign up local residents on a membership basis, they pay $15 each shop and have the dignity of choosing what they want from our little supermarket. They probably get about $70 or $80 worth of food for the $15.”
The establishment of Busby Corps is a direct result of the success of the Food 4 Life ministry.
“Most of the people who come to the church are clients from our Food 4 Life market – they weren't going to travel into another area to go to church so we brought the church to them!” says Joel. “A lot of people have been saved and received healing. It’s been great, really, really good.”
With the food market initially meeting the community’s physical need, members soon became interested in learning about “food for their soul”. Joel says a deeper sense of connection is being established among the community as they meet in worship.
“God has put this community on the hearts of people. A lot of people in the area are looking for a place where they can belong and be in community with others and church is another opportunity for them to do that,” says Joel. “A few people have said they will just come once to check it out and they have never missed a Sunday since! God is amazing.”
Joel and Kianna have been greatly encouraged by the support they have received from Liverpool Corps and the community itself. This has given them a sense of optimism.
“Having Food 4 Life is a vital part of why this corps has come together,” says Joel. “It has always been on our hearts to do something like this. We have been really blessed in so many ways as we have started the corps. We are establishing ourselves and seeing where God wants to lead us!”
Comments
No comments yet - be the first.