There's more than one way to fill a skip, according to parishioners at Naremburn/Cammeray Anglican Church.
Participating in a food drive for Anglicare, the parish invited the community to fill the giant skip on their front lawn with food on their annual market day last weekend.
The church had made up 2000 sample bags, hundreds of balloons, and welcome kits introducing their church.
By the end of the day, a third of the skip was filled with food.
For the church’s senior minister, the Rev Rick Smith, the food drive served a dual purpose.
"One was to help Anglicare emergency relief programs replenish their stock and the other was to help those who live in affluent areas of the North Shore to feel grateful for what they have and share it with those who don't," says Rick.
"As a church it is important to be outward-looking in our care of others and also in proclaiming Christ. It's not just about running a particular program but a mindset. The food drive and market day was just one way to connect with our local community and get to know them."
Generosity links community with church
According to Wendy Morris, Anglicare Parish Partnerships Coordinator, a tin of food is fast becoming the latest instrument for Anglican churches across the Diocese to build relationships with their local community, while caring for others.
"For many years Anglican parishes have worked in partnership with Anglicare to collect food for families who live without the basics such as adequate food, decent clothing, access to health care, and secure and affordable housing.
"However, it's been encouraging to see churches use food drives like our Toys "n' Tucker to engage people both within their own congregation and in their local community," says Wendy.
For a church like Naremburn/Cammeray, where 10 congregations are spread over different locations, initiatives like the food drive and market day are a unifying experience Rick explains.
"On the morning of the market day we had different stalls from different congregations and it was a real community occasion."
In a recent initiative, Anglicare will also be offering hampers to parishes for any of their members who may need the extra support over Christmas.
"In the past, the Christmas hamper program has primarily served people in the care of various Anglicare services," says Wendy.
"This year we would like to extend this outreach to include others in need " people who may be known to one's church family."
This Christmas, parishes can help Anglicare to supply Christmas hampers to 5,000 families. For more information on Anglicare's Toys "n' Tucker, contact Anglicare on 9895 8000.
