Summer Feast of Fun activities underway to provide 4,000 meals
Thank you to all Network of Kindness members hosting Feast of Fun activities to help tackle holiday hunger, and bring communities together this summer.
We’re delighted to be funding 19 projects to provide around 4,000 meals for children and families across the Diocese of Liverpool area, thanks to our microgrants partnership with Meals & More.
Among the first activities to run, Faiths4Change and St Michael’s in the City co-hosted a ‘pick your own lunch’ event at the Secret Garden allotments in Stoneycroft, Liverpool on July 26th. Around 30 people attended including families connected with local churches and residents groups, Sandfield School, and the Joseph Lappin Centre.
Activities focused on eating locally grown healthy fresh food, with guests harvesting their own vegetables used to make ‘Rainbow Wraps’. Children also learned about how to grow their own food and take care of nature in the garden, and each guest could take home a seed sowing.
Rachel Hardy, Food, Land & Wellbeing Coordinator at Faiths4Change said: “With the Feast of Fun funding we were able to provide families with a healthy lunch and snacks during our garden picnic event at The Secret Garden.
“It was very successful with over 30 people joining us for craft and gardening activities, as well as the opportunity to pick their own veg and see where the ingredients for our 'Rainbow Wraps' come from!
“I was really pleased to see children so enthusiastic about colourful vegetables, and giving everything a try. It means a lot to us to be able to provide free food over the holidays to the local community, including the families of our hardworking volunteers!”
Other Feast of Fun activities underway across the diocese include a series of Funday Monday events with fresh fruit, packed lunches, craft activities and street games, running until August 14th at The Place to Be in Speke, run by St Aidan with All Saints in Speke.
A summer playscheme for local school children is being hosted by TripleC with Christ Church Norris Green, with breakfast and healthy snacks provideds. Three open garden events with hot meals for local people, eco activities and outdoor play, are also planned at Christ Church Norris Green.
St Andrews Church, Clubmoor are providing Feast of Fun Fridays every Friday during the school holidays with packed lunches, crafts, and sports.
St John the Evangelist church in Knotty Ash are preparing to provide a make your own sandwiches activity and healthy snacks as part of a fun day with a mini Olympics at the Sir Ken Dodd Happiness Hall.
St James with St Thomas in Wigan are providing nutritious meals activities on Tuesdays through the summer including dance, crafts, and football, as part of a host of Feast of Fun activities provided by churches in Wigan.
Meanwhile St Michaels with St Thomas Ditton, Widnes, are planning a summer fun day with healthy lunch for 200 people, in collaboration with local schools later in August.
The Faiths4Change and St Michael’s in the City activity followed a pilot activity at The Secret Garden in May when people identified a need for local, free and healthy activities for families. There will be a further similar ‘in the garden’ event on August 12th to help establish the garden as a healthy activity space and growing our engagement across the community.
Attendees at the July event said afterwards: “Really lovely event. Nice to see all the veg/plants growing and to have a go (and craft is always a winner). Lunch also lovely.” “Fun craft activities for kids and very delicious wraps” “I liked eating fruit and vegetables!” “Excellent little haven. Keep up the good work.” “Lovely little event, great for kids and adults. 10/10!”
The Feast of Fun microgrants scheme is delivered this summer thanks to a partnership between Together Liverpool and Meals & More, and is part of the National Lottery Funded Network of Kindness project.
To find out more about joining the Network of Kindness click here: Join the Network of Kindness - members sign up - Together Liverpool