Your Grocery Needs You
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2
There are places in every community that quietly make life better.
Places where people are greeted by name. Where conversations happen over a cup of tea. Where someone who's struggling finds encouragement instead of judgement. Where families can stretch their weekly budget without sacrificing dignity.
For thousands of people across Redcar, Redcar Community Grocery has become one of those places.
Since opening in 2021, the Grocery has welcomed more than 3,000 local households, and today more than 730 members are part of its growing community. Every week, families are able to buy quality food at a fraction of supermarket prices while also accessing practical support, friendly conversation and opportunities to connect with others. The Grocery is run in partnership between The Message Trust and Redcar Baptist Church and has become much more than somewhere to shop, it has become a place where hope grows.
More Than Food
When people first hear the name "Community Grocery", they often imagine shelves stocked with affordable food.
That is certainly part of the story.
But anyone who has spent time here knows it is about far more than groceries.
It is about reducing isolation. It is about building friendships. It is about helping people through difficult seasons with dignity rather than dependency. It is about creating a place where everyone is welcomed, valued and supported.
One of our volunteers, Anita Phoenix, described it beautifully:
"RCG is a jewel of a place. We are all very lucky to have it. It is both of our happy places and we know it is for many others. It is full of welcoming, kind, caring, funny and warm people and is a very important part of the community. Lives are richer because of it. If you could bottle what it does and means to people it would be called the essence of true kindness."
Ang Ramage, another volunteer, reflected:
"It has been a massive privilege to be involved in running this Grocery and to witness how many people's lives are impacted, blessed and improved. It is doing hugely important work in this community in a way that feels wonderfully natural and straightforward."
Those words capture something statistics never can. The Grocery is changing lives every single day.
An Honest Update
Today, however, we need to share an important update.
Like many charities and community organisations across the country, Redcar Community Grocery is facing significant financial pressure.
The reality is simple.
Without additional regular support, Redcar Community Grocery could be forced to close as early as September.
At present, there is a £21,000 annual funding gap, which is equivalent to around £1,800 each month in regular giving.
Those figures may sound overwhelming.
But when a whole community comes together, they become achievable.
We have seen time and again what happens when people unite around something that matters. We believe the same can happen again.
This Isn't Just About Keeping the Doors Open
Of course, our immediate priority is ensuring the Grocery continues serving local families.
But our vision is bigger than survival.
We want Redcar Community Grocery to thrive. We want more families to benefit from affordable food. More people to find friendship. More opportunities for practical support, courses and community connection.
By becoming a Community Supporter, you'll help secure the future of Redcar Community Grocery. If, together, we exceed the funding needed to protect the Grocery, your generosity will also help sustain the wider community projects and support provided through Redcar Baptist Church, allowing hope, care and practical help to reach even more people.
Every monthly gift becomes part of something bigger.
Could You Help Write the Next Chapter?
We know that times are difficult for many people.
That is exactly why Community Grocery exists.
We're not asking everyone to give a large amount. Instead, we're inviting as many people as possible to become part of the story.
Whether it's £2.50, £5, £10, £15, or another amount each month, every gift matters. Together, those gifts have the power to protect this vital service and strengthen our wider work across Redcar.
If Redcar Community Grocery has ever helped you, encouraged you, inspired you, or if you simply believe every family deserves access to affordable food and genuine community, we'd love you to consider becoming a Community Supporter.
Because this isn't simply about funding a Grocery.
It's about protecting a place where people find hope, friendship, dignity and belonging.
Together, we can keep hope alive in Redcar.
See our campaign page here.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for every person who has walked through the doors of Redcar Community Grocery over the past few years. Thank You for the friendships formed, the burdens shared, the meals provided, and the hope that has been found in this place. We praise You for every volunteer, member, supporter and partner who has helped make the Grocery a welcoming community where people are treated with dignity, kindness and love.
Lord, You know the challenges we now face. We bring before You the future of Redcar Community Grocery and ask for Your provision. Open hearts across our community to stand together so that this vital work can continue. Give wisdom, courage and peace to those leading the project, and encouragement to every volunteer who faithfully serves week after week.
We pray that You would provide everything that is needed—not only to keep the Grocery open, but to see it flourish in the years ahead. May it continue to be a place where families find affordable food, practical support, genuine friendship and renewed hope.
We also pray that, through the generosity of Your people, Redcar Baptist Church will be able to continue serving our town through the many community projects that share Your love in practical ways. May every gift, every act of kindness and every conversation point people towards the hope that is found in Jesus Christ.
Help us to be a community that carries one another's burdens, loves our neighbours well, and reflects Your compassion in all we do.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
