Faith groups invited to apply for Easter Feast of Fun grants
Faith groups are invited to apply for Feast of Fun grants to help tackle school holiday hunger by running community food activities for children and families, this Easter.
The fund is open to Network of Kindness members in the Diocese of Liverpool area to apply for grants of between £50 and £500, thanks to our partnership with Meals & More.
Activities must be based around healthy food and wellbeing, and include a fitness or educational activity as well – for example a craft, dodge ball game, or music and dancing.
All applications for these grants must be submitted by midnight on Sunday March 2nd. Activities must take place during the school Easter holidays (April 7 – 21st), and we require monitoring data to be returned by April 25th.
Last summer Network of Kindness members provided 2,340 Feast of Fun meals.
Participants reported the grants helped connect and strengthen relationships with local families in their communities, as well as providing a much-needed support with holiday food budgets.
You can read some stories from participants our Summer 2024 Feast of Fun Impact Report
Rev James Green, CEO of Together Liverpool said: “It is testament to the kindness and dedication of the staff and volunteers across our region that Fest of Fun continues to be a core activity for the Network of Kindness, bringing hope and good food to our communities.
“We are interested to hear from groups of all faiths who would like to run an activity, in particular those who have not previously applied or who wish to deliver a new activity.”
It's free to join the Network of Kindness if you are not already a member, and we cover the whole area covered by the Diocese of Liverpool including: Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens, Halton, Warrington, Wigan, West Lancashire and Liverpool.
Please direct any enquiries about the Feast of Fun Grants to our Social Action Development Lead Officer Joseph Cottrell.
What Summer Feast of Fun host groups said:
Triple C (Liverpool) and Christ Church Norris Green served more than 900 Feast of Fun meals at a two-week summer play scheme, at Leamington Community Primary School. Jan Quai, Children and Families Project worker at Triple C who ran the playscheme said: “Some of the parents say they don’t know what they would do in the holidays if we weren’t here. We help them with the cost of living. A lot of families can’t afford to go away in the school holidays so having this activity is amazing. It makes a massive difference to the whole community.
At North Liverpool & South Sefton Methodist Circuit 93 meals were provided to children over six mornings of crafts, games and activities. They said: “There was a healthy lunch for all, including lots of fresh fruit for dessert. They noted “The children looked forward to attending. It was something to do that was free - so many costly activities, yet their children could do different crafts and activities for free.“
Christ Church and Holy Trinity Walton Breck fed more than 45 children plus eight young leaders each day at a church summer Holiday club. The church said: "The children came and joined us each day for fun, crafts, games and teaching and all left with a packed lunch in a brown paper bag to help their parents with the cost of food over the summer holidays. It was a great week. Our Feast of Fun activity meant that every child who came received a lunch that day and so would have had something to eat - this would not have been the case for some of our families otherwise."
St Andrews Church Clubmoor used the grant to help run six weekly Feast of Fun Goes to the Olympics events, serving over 250 meals. They said: “Feast of Fun had a huge impact on the families who attended. They were enthusiastic about the range of activities provided and the fact that this was a place where they could be fed and entertained for free. On some occasions, we had food gifts donated that we could send the families away with and these were greatly appreciated.”
Lighthouse Wigan West said: “We are in an area of significant deprivation. Offering food without trying to limit the amount they can eat is valuable, as is being welcoming to everyone.”
St James with St Thomas Church said: "The best thing was the way families felt at coming in, sitting down and eating something good and being able to engage with other families. it also gave grown ups access to the food pantry which is normally only open in the mornings. A big difference as it’s now well established and people look forward to it as a part of school holidays.”
St Paul's Goose Green said: “Seeing all the children enjoy their fruits and activities and the gratitude from parents for being able to get out the house and catch up with friends. It gave everyone something to look forward to during the school holidays along with a chance to meet with friends and fellowship.”
Join the Network of Kindness!
Our Feast of Fun small grants scheme supports faith groups and their community partners tackle school holiday hunger. Join the Network of Kindness to find out more about this scheme, offered thanks to our funders Meals&More.