Press Release: Acts 435 seeks more partners to reach those in need
During Lent Christians often choose to give up a certain food or activity, such as chocolate, alcohol or social media. However, thanks to organisations like Stewardship, Christians have in recent years also been encouraged to give generously to charities, like Acts 435.
As a result Acts 435 has money to give away! Starting in the Anglican church, back in 2009 with a pilot in York Diocese, Acts 435 currently partners with a network of over 600 churches and local charities. It is completely free to partner with Acts 435, who crowdfunds the money to help people in a church’s parish with specific needs such as a bed, a cooker or clothes.
Executive Director, Jenny Herrera, said:
“We are in the extremely fortunate position of people giving so generously and enthusiastically that we can’t keep up with them in terms of requests for help being posted onto our website. We are sure there are many more who could make use of our support and want to encourage them to give it a try.”
Acts 435 was featured on day eight of Stewardship’s 40acts Lent reflections, with a direct action to give directly to requests for help. Just six hours after the email was sent, the requests on the Acts 435 website had all been met by the generosity of donors. In addition to this, donors continued to give general donations, to be applied to requests at a later date, and donors continued to give as new requests were posted.
This has left Acts 435 with a very unique problem of having funding readily available to apply towards new requests for help, but not enough requests being posted onto their website.
As has been reported, millions of households are spending more on essentials than they are earning, highlighting that individuals in every community are unable to afford everyday necessities, let alone be able to save for much-needs items, such as white goods or car repairs. These types of needs are where Acts 435 can step in, and make a huge difference to someone facing this situation. Just like Sonny*, and his wife, who had recently suffered from a stroke. Their fridge-freezer had broken, but due to Sonny needing to care for his wife, they had little income. Acts 435 donors stepped in to help, and Sonny said:
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who supported us to get a fridge-freezer. Knowing that people still care has meant so much to us as we continue to face daily struggles with love and strength. Your support has helped ease some of the pressure and made life a little more manageable for us. Thank you for standing with us and showing compassion when it was most needed."
As churches and local charities all around the UK serve their communities both spiritually and physically, Acts 435 wants to encourage them to partner with Acts 435 to step into the gaps that individuals in every community are experiencing, and demonstrate God’s love and compassion. As Acts 435 experiences this generosity, from donors, could your church or charity be enabled to pass this onto those who need it most?
Find out more about partnering with Acts 435: acts435.org.uk/partner
Contact: Katie Greene, Communications & Partnerships Director, kgreene@acts435.org.uk
*name changed for confidentiality