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<div>Hi there,
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<div>My name is Eric Satford Henry, and I am the Reverend/International President &amp; Presiding Bishop of the Mount Zion 7th Day Church of God (UK International Conference). The Headquarters of our organisation is located at 333a Sydenham Road, Croydon, CRO 2EL.
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<div>We have embarked on a fundraising campaign, in aid of building a dedicated community Food Bank on our premises.
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<div>The application process for a church to obtain funding is very difficult due to the eligibility criteria, so we rely on dedicated parishioners to host
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<div>fundraising events within the church. The proceeds raised from in-house church events would not raise sufficient funds to cover the overhead costs of building a Food Bank. Building a Food Bank is reliant on us obtaining external funding.
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<div><strong>WHAT IS A FOOD BANK?</strong>
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<div>A Food Bank is a non-profit organisation, set up solely to help individuals or a family who are in crisis, and need access to an emergency supply because they cannot afford to buy food.
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<div><strong>HELPING OUR COMMUNITY</strong>
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<div>As a religious organisation we have been established for over 53 years within our local community.
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<div>As part of our faith, we believe that our doors should be open to help those who need food. Prior to Covid, once per month we fed the homeless, low income and senior citizens. In helping the needy we do not discriminate.
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<div><strong>WHAT'S GOING ON?</strong>
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<div>Soaring food and energy bills have been the main causes behind the UK’s high inflation in recent years. Global prices for gas, electricity and other fuels began to increase from summer 2021, after pandemic related lockdowns ended and economies began to reopen.
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<div>We have heard media and social network coverage where low-income, the elderly and the vulnerable, were having to make the difficult decisions during the winter of whether to eat or heat up their homes.
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<div><strong>ACCOMMODATION </strong>
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<div>Renting a property is extremely costly. Many local authorities have relocated a lot of families outside of the capital, because they have no properties to house them.
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<div>The homeless people on the streets throughout London, and the surrounding areas is at an all-time high. Croydon experienced a 39 per cent increase in people sleeping rough between January - March 2023, and the same months in 2024.
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<div><strong>THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES</strong>
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<div>Many people are now seeking help from debt relief agencies, where they have incurred financial difficulties in many areas.” Robbing Peter to pay Paul” has become the norm as people struggle to pay their every day bills.
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<div>Filing for bankruptcy or entering an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) to alleviate debt is becoming and has become too common.
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<div><strong>DEMOGRAPHICS</strong>
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<div>Croydon is Greater London’s most populated borough, with approximately 390,800 residents (census 2021) With a projected growth from 2022 – 2041 of 7.9%. Croydon’s age profile is therefore expected to become younger.
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<div>Figures for 2022/2023 show that more than half (55%) of homeless people in Croydon are aged 25-44 years. 21% are aged between 16 and 24 years and 20% are aged 45-64 years. 3% of people aged 65 years and over are homeless.
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<div>As a whole 33.8 percent of households show one form of deprivation. Croydon features in the top third most deprived area compared to the other Greater London Councils.
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<div><strong>CHILD POVERTY</strong>
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<div>This is of major concern. One in four children in Croydon grow up in poverty and there is a relatively high percentage of lone parents who are benefit recipient's with 3.1 percent of the population versus the London average of 2.8 percent and the national average of 1.9 per cent. Save the children UK said the latest figures are grim and prove that families are still very much in depths of crisis as inflation increases.
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<div><strong>THE IMPORTANCE OF A FOOD BANK</strong>
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<div>A Food Bank within the community, will allow the vulnerable access to food when they are at a crossroad, and need help.
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<div>There are currently only 9 Food Banks in Croydon. We know there is an increased need for more Food Banks by speaking to people on a regular basis, we receive visits from strangers who walk into our church asking for food, also we have researched poverty in the UK (and particular in Croydon)
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<div><strong>THIRD PARTY</strong>
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<div>We will work closely with external agencies like GPs, hospitals, citizen advice bureau's, social services ect who will make referrals so we can give food to those who need it.
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<div><strong>WHAT CAN YOU DO?</strong>
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<div>We need external funds to get this project started, and maintained until it is completed.
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<div><strong>THE COST?</strong>
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<div>We have obtained planning permission from Croydon Council to build the Food Bank, and a Surveyors report. The estimated cost to build will be in the region of £40,000.
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<div><strong>OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE</strong>
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<div>We ask that you give as much as you can afford towards this worthy cause. Your donations will be greatly appreciated, and will go towards helping many people within our community.
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<div>Please share this campaign on your social media, with family and friends and spread the word.
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<div>May God bless you abundantly!
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<div>“<strong>When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed” - Maya Angelou</strong>
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Alcia Evans

Chadwick Stafford

MT ZION 7th DAY CHURCH OF GOD COMMUNITY FOOD BANK APPEAL

Still £12,435 to go. Help us build momentum.