Tackling school holiday hunger through Feast of Fun community meals

Each group delivered an activity suited to their local community and the people they support.

The Ukrainian Catholic Church and Resilience Ukrainian Support Centre CIC partnered to host a community celebration with traditional borsht, and activities including an outdoor quest, and art workshops for children.

Central Church Warrington held an Easter picnic, with games and activities including sack races and bunny hop races, reaching 54 guests including 31 children. Sarah of Central Church Warrington said: “The families said they had a really enjoyable time and it was a lovely thing to do during the Easter holidays, where otherwise some people who came would have been more isolated.” One guest said: "It was so lovely to be out.”

The Lauda project held a celebration with the Liverpool Roma community and friends – hosting more than 80 adults and children, in partnership with St Luke in the City, Granby Toxteth Development Trust and Micah Food Bank. The menu, created to celebrate international Roma Day, Easter and healthy eating, included cabbage rolls, Greek salad, traditional potato salad, and fresh fruit.

Leah of The Lauda project said: “The Feast of Fun grant made this event possible. It is quite expensive to provide food for so many people as well as gifts for the children and activities. With this grant we were able to cover the costs of the food and this was so appreciated.”

St John church in Knotty Ash provided 74 ‘help yourself’ healthy breakfasts, with activities including a community art activity to create four large canvases themed on Happiness, Laughter, Community and Hope, resonating with the title the church’s Happiness Hall. Additional materials were provided by MPAC.

Susan of St John’s church said: “This clearly demonstrated how the church has its place in the community and it is valued by the local people. It also enabled us to see the real need to keep providing events such as this and reaching out to support the local families.

"Thank you for making these grants available with funds being so tight in churches, grants such as this enables us to continue our mission to reach out to those in need.” One attendee said: "Thank you for providing something we were able to do as a family."

Triple C (Liverpool) and Christ Church Norris Green served 230 meals opening up their community café and community garden with a picnic and play area. Guests including 80 adults and 80 children enjoyed hot scouse or soup, plus a packed lunch for children of sandwich rolls, cheese, fresh fruit and yoghurt.

Among the guests at the event, one said: “So thankful to have this event to come to today - really enjoyed it and so impressed with that you do here - would love to volunteer!”

Another said: “Thank you for the food - the children haven't stopped eating since we arrived!” Another said: “Really helpful having this event - kept the kids occupied and going home with full tummies!”

Kate of Triple C (Liverpool) said: “Just fantastic to get new families into the building and garden, to ensure they now know they are welcome and we hope to see them again.”

St Michael’s in the City hosted an outdoor event in partnership with Faiths4Change, welcoming local families to share healthy food, at the Roots community garden. Activities themed around caring for creation included sunflower seed sowing, exploring veg and herbs, and making an Easter-themed mini garden to take home.

Food included a 'make your own wraps' lunch with a rainbow of fruit and veg, plus other healthy treats such as home made fruit truffles, with a recipe to take home.

Crystal from Faiths4Change said: “It was lovely to connect and reflect spiritually, creating and sharing the story of Easter with families. The grant made it possible to provide lunch and snacks as part of the afternoon, which really helped make the event feel welcoming and relaxed."

The Feast of Fun small grants scheme is open to Network of Kindness members across the Diocese of Liverpool area. It is delivered thanks to Together Liverpool’s partnership with Meals & More.

Together Liverpool will be offering another round of Feast of Fun grants for activities this summer. To be eligible to apply please join the Network of Kindness.