The school summer holidays are here giving children, teenagers, and their teachers a chance for rest and rejuvenation before the new school year starts in September. However, for some families the school holidays are a time of anxiety as parents and carers have no access to free school meals for six weeks.
This year the cost-of-living crisis has caused more families to be struggling and in need of help with food costs. Many churches across the diocese have stepped in to help. Below is a list of churches providing free food this summer.
St Laurence’s, Coventry
St Laurence’s are holding free sessions on the 9th,10th,11th,16th,17th, and 18th August in their church hall from 10am-1pm. The sessions are drop in, no booking required and open to any families who wish to come along. They will provide a free lunch for anyone who attends and there will be crafts, games, and activities.
St Oswald’s, Coventry
St Oswald’s will be running family fun sessions on the 7th, 9th, 28th, and 30th August from 10:30am - 12:30pm. There will be free biscuits, toast, and drinks for all who attend.
St Peter’s, Coventry
St Peter’s will be hosting ‘St Peter’s Upside-Down Kingdom’, a free family event on the 8th, 9th, and 10th August from 9:00am – 12:00pm which will include games, crafts, bible study and music. A free lunch will be provided for the children and there will be a ‘parent hangout café’ which will provide free hot or cold drinks and snacks for the grown-ups.
Also, St Peter’s popular community lunch continues over the summer. The community lunch provides a substantial free meal for anyone in the community who needs it. On the 2nd, 16th, 23rd and 30th August from 12.30 to 1.30pm, the community lunch will include games, crafts, food the whole family can enjoy, and ice creams!
St John the Divine, Coventry
St John the Divine is running its annual summer brunch club this August. Over four days, the church will be serving food as well as running games and activities, including short films with popcorn, karaoke, circus skills, mini golf, and bouncy castles. Currently sign up is closed as 300 – 350 people are booked on to each day.
Saints, Nuneaton
Saints, Nuneaton are offering a free breakfast to every child from 9.30-10.30am every day they are open (Tuesday-Saturday). Every child can choose from a bowl of cereal, pastry, toast, or teacake, plus a piece of fruit and a glass of juice or squash. Just come up to the bar to claim a free breakfast.
Also, they are running a free lunch club on Tuesdays to Thursdays for families who are either eligible for free school meals, or who are not quite eligible but struggling with income. They are feeding both kids and parents! The Lunch Club is bookings only as places are limited. Book here.
Saints are running a senior lunch club for pensioners on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-2pm, where they can get a bowl of soup, a sandwich of their choice and a drink for just £1!
Lastly, Saints are offering a limited number of fresh fruit and veg bags each week of the holidays, which will be available to collect on a Friday between 11am-1pm. Please click this link to find out more and reserve a bag, as booking is essential.
St John’s, Leamington Spa
St John’s are hosting their annual summer lunches every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 12 noon until 1.30pm. It is available to every family who would find it useful and no booking is required.