The Salvation Army in Penrith has opened a supermarket-style hub to provide food, baby products and other essential items, plus spiritual and emotional support, for the community.
The Nourished Project aims to nourish people practically by providing necessities from a new purpose-built area at the Hunters Lane Corps, and spiritually by offering visitors a listening ear.
People will also be signposted to other services on offer at the church and charity, such as the toddler play and stay sessions, happy to chat café and activities mornings.
Major Carole Donaldson, who leads the corps with her husband, Major Alan, said: “We are delighted to officially open the Nourished Project, which will offer support to people who are struggling.
“We have transformed part of our backyard into a new hub with food, toiletries, cleaning and baby products.
“People can browse and select items that they need, so it feels more like a mini supermarket, giving them more choice and a sense of dignity.
“As well as food parcels, we will be there to give spiritual and pastoral guidance. We can take people to a quiet place within the community centre for a cup of tea and a talk, establish what they need and introduce them to the other services, we run or signpost them elsewhere.
“The aim is to feed people, as God feeds us spiritually and physically.”
The hub has been funded by EBM Charitable Trust and Stobart Newlands Charitable Trust.
Major Carole, who officially opened the project with Penrith Town Council’s mayor Charlie Shepherd and Salvation Army representatives from the North West Divisional Headquarters Major Julie Bovan and Jane Simpson, added: “We want to thank our donors, as well as local businesses, volunteers and the community for their passion, commitment and hard work over the past few months.
“It’s thanks to them that this project has been made possible.”
If anybody would like to visit the Nourished Project, they should telephone 01768 866732 and leave a short message and phone number, or speak to a referral agent including local schools, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, the NHS, or Cumbria County Council.
