Our groceries are now serving over 20,000 members! And each day we’re hearing of the impact the stores and teams are having on the local community.
As well as providing fresh and affordable food for families, our groceries are also all about giving wraparound support for those who need it.
In Bedworth, our team met Oscar in store when he popped in asking if there were any of the 1:1 counselling appointments available that day. Although there weren’t any free, Lorna, the Grocery Manager, bought him a cup of tea and they got chatting and he shared how his mum who’d been his carer had just passed away. As he talked, and she listened Lorna felt led to tell him about how God was with him even in the tough time he was facing, and asked if he’d like her to pray with him.
Oscar had so many questions about faith and was really touched by Lorna praying with him. He left saying that he hoped to come back to the store soon to chat with the counselling team and connect with others in the community.
In Ragworth, one of our volunteers Elaine got chatting with Rachel (one of the members) who shared that due to some difficult circumstances she’d lost her family home and felt like she’d hit rock bottom and had no hope. As they talked Elaine offered to pray for Rachel that God would provide her and her family with a new home. The very next week, Rachel came back saying she has the keys for a new home! It was amazing to see how God answered our prayer and Rachel is now desperate to find out more about Jesus and his love for her.
Maggie is a member of the Community Grocery in Sharston. Recently, she started inviting her daughter and granddaughter to go along to church with her. Even though they were both reluctant at first, they came along and as they heard about the love and hope Jesus offered to them, they both responded and gave their lives to him! Afterwards, Maggie’s 17 year-old granddaughter, who has struggled with suicidal thoughts for a number of years, shared that as she accepted Jesus into her life, she said ‘It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders, Jesus really is the cure!’
