Central Fife

Central Fife Centre of Mission

We are very much being led by the community right now – listening to them and what they need. The original plan was to open up a café, but the more I listened to people, the more I realised they didn’t need a café – what they really needed was food. People are starving here in Central Fife, so that has become the focus. We have food on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and we also have a pantry, which has got a four-month waiting list. The need is so dire that we have such a long waiting list. We created the pantry and kitchen project. Anyone who is hungry can come into the pantry and all the food is free. They can give a donation of what they can, when they can. We also prepare fresh food every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday so people can enjoy a hot meal. Wednesday is more of a sit-down community meal. Lots of different people come in, but there is a core of about 30 regulars.

One of the big things that has happened, which took me by surprise, is that some are coming along to church services on Sundays. They are happy to have conversations
about faith while eating mid-week, too. I have become their community priest; people
speak to me the way they speak to each other, which is great. It’s a wonderful place to be, and it’s all about the people. Morrisons gave us their foodbank donations, but that was only for one year. That’s coming to an end soon, so we are approaching different people/businesses for donations so that we don’t run out. One of the regulars who comes is an amputee. He arrived at my door one day in tears. He told me how he had become more and more isolated throughout the pandemic and was really struggling. He asked if he could talk to me. I said, “Yes, of course, but as well as doing that, why don’t you come tonight (it was a Thursday) and have something to eat?” His eyes lit up, and he said, “Can I?!” I said, “Of course!” But then he was worried and said, “But what is the cost? I don’t have any money.” I told him, “There’s no cost, just bring yourself.” He came along, and then he grabbed me a few weeks later and said, “I was at the very end. I had lost all hope, and I just happened to come to you because I saw your door open, and there you were and there this group was, and it saved me. It’s literally saved me; it’s saved my life.”

For me, everything we do is about the person and their dignity. Each person has needs, emotional and physical, as well as spiritual and pastoral needs. We are bringing people together to meet all of their needs. We have a small building, but it’s a growing community with more and more people arriving. I’m hoping for a Pioneer Evangelist soon so that we can discover new ways to reach people.”