As the start of Lent coincides with the school half term holidays, a busy food provision scheme at St Luke’s Church in Barton Hill has gathered an array of goods to be distributed to between 40 and 50 families during the February half-term week.
St Luke’s has been running their fantastic scheme to support the local community for many years. However, due to the challenges of the past year, they have lately had to greatly expand it with the help of their active and dedicated volunteers.
The goods provided during half-term week will not only include food but also craft and cooking activities for children and household goods. They have been bought, donated and collected from a number of sources, including from charities, supermarkets and grants.
Volunteers are assigned to service users on a 1:1 basis so that people can have some choice in what they receive, not just a standard package. They also help to carry and deliver supplies, which encourages connections between volunteers and service users.
The scheme has worked closely with the primary school opposite the church, Barton Hill Academy, to help identify families in need, together with St Patrick’s school, St Philips Marsh Nursery and Cashmore Early Years Center. St Luke's is also working with the Wellspring Settlement to share knowledge and resources.
Revd Nicola Coleman at St Luke's Church says: "We are normally a holiday meal and activity club but we've adapted our offering to meet the needs of local families during the pandemic. It's been great to hear how much families have been enjoying cooking together through our cook packs which provide everything needed to make a recipe including baking tins, weighing scales and instructions."