The Well Community Church and St Barnabas URC have been running MakeLunch @ St B’s for 3 years this summer. MakeLunch is an initiative of TLG (Transforming Lives for Good) which partners with local churches to provide free hot meals in the holidays for children who would receive Free School Meals in term time.
During the pandemic MakeLunch @ St B’s adapted to the restrictions by delivering hot food to families who applied. Now they are looking forward to being back in person at St Barnabas, welcoming families into the building.
Children do a craft activity while parents have a cup of tea or coffee. The hot meal is served on tables as all the families and volunteers sit together to eat. A delicious pudding follows with everyone then contributing to clearing the tables and packing away.
Julie Smith, the MakeLunch coordinator, is passionate about the project. “Feeding hungry people is something that Jesus did and that He tells us to do in Matthew 25. Churches are good at food! MakeLunch is a really practical, tangible way of meeting a physical need and demonstrating God’s love”
For this summer holiday MakeLunch @ St B’s are running on Tuesdays and Thursdays in August. If anyone would like to volunteer, please contact Julie about the application process. Help is needed in the kitchen, setting up tables, craft, serving food, washing up and clearing away. Also if any churches would like more information about starting a MakeLunch kitchen, please get in touch with Julie or TLG directly to find out more.
Julie – Julie.s@twcc.church