1,000 healthy breakfasts and packed lunches were provided to families in West Derby, as St Luke's church partnered with community youth group Smarty's and local food support hub The Drive.

The three organisations worked together to host a holiday club, taking the pressure off parents to access healthy food during the summer holidays, providing activities and organising days out. Six volunteers made 500 breakfasts and 500 lunches for children aged 0-5 and 6-11, and many of their parents, bringing the church and the community closer together.

The activity helped build relationships between the church, community and local organisations. Most holiday club attendees were pre-existing Smarty's members, including BAME people, single parent households, asylum seekers and refugees.

All participants received breakfasts and lunches that were low in sugar and high in water, fruit, fibre and protein, each day they attended Smarty’s breakfast club.

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"It meant that we were able to be an active participant in our community at a time of great need."

New vicar at St Luke’s church Rev Jonty Forster said: “The project helped to feed, entertain and occupy a significant number of children and young people in our community over the summer.

“It has taken a huge pressure off families in terms of sourcing food for breakfasts and lunches in the holidays, by providing a free healthy food option.”

The holiday club project was funded thanks to a Feast of Fun grant from social justice charity Together Liverpool, coupled with a HAF (Holiday and Activity Food programme) grant from Liverpool City Council.

Rev Jonty said: “It meant that we were able to be an active participant in our community at a time of great need. It also meant that we were able to work with partners on one big community initiative, rather than being one of a few smaller projects happening around the community.

“It has also strengthened the link from church to the community as we were able to connect with people who don't come on a Sunday, but have since shown an interest in baptism for their children and kids church in the future.”

Rev Jonty, who joined the parish as vicar earlier in 2021 said: “As a person new to the parish, it was a great opportunity to meet people of the community and connect with them.

“It felt really significant to be providing a solution to the problem of holiday hunger and to provide opportunities for families in need to have healthy food, days out, entertainment and rest for parents in need of a break.”