Conor has visited a scheme that is battling to make sure local children do not miss out on a daily hot meal over the summer holidays.\nA group of local churches are behind the Make Lunch St Helens project that aims to help parents who struggle to provide a hot meal for their children during the school summer break.
 \nFive churches are working with Cowley International College on the scheme after the problem was recognised by St Helen’s council leader Barrie Grunewald who pledged хЃ7,500 towards the scheme that will provide youngsters with a hot meal and lay on other activities over the summer.
\nConor said: “It’s a sad fact that under this Government an increasing number of families, including many where someone is in work, are struggling to feed themselves.
\n”For those families, it can be an even greater struggle during school holidays to provide a decent meal. But, with the support it has received, this project will be helping many local children.”
\nSt Helens Baptist Church secured funding from Veolia Environmental Trust to create a purpose-built kitchen and, along with the partner churches, is are offering a holiday club where children can get a hot, nutritious meal and enjoy a range of activities.
\nVolunteers help run the project and use their skills in teaching, parenting and financial management to run activities and offer support to parents.
\nAround 50 meals per day are provided from each of the centres taking part and children up to the age of 11 are fed from the churches.
\nThe project is designed to help parents and future plans include training for parents in cooking nutritious meals on a tight budget.