Families in North Liverpool are set to benefit from a new food programme thanks to support from Liverpool cash plan provider Medicash.
The Liverpool Six Community Association is running the initiative which aims to provide free, healthy meals to families. The ‘family meal nights’ will take place twice a week and will see around 400 diners of all ages enjoy a cooked three-course dinner together.
A food bank, lunch club and meal delivery service are already provided by the Liverpool Six Community Centre.
Gerard Woodhouse, Centre Manager, said: “We have been successfully running a number of projects around food poverty and there is a big demand for them. We were keen to develop the family meal nights programme but we had a funding shortfall which has now been met by Medicash. Thanks to their donation we can now provide many more families with hot, healthy food throughout the year. It’s a great boost for our community.”
Currently 82% of families in North Liverpool are living in poverty. Over the last five months the food bank has been developed with support of local councillors from Anfield, County, Clubmoor and Everton, support from the Mayor’s Fund and other donations. A high proportion of people using the food bank are on low incomes and do so because of benefit delays or changes.
Medicash chairman Frank Field MP said: “Food poverty is a serious issue and the Liverpool Six Community Association has achieved real success in delivering projects which have a direct and positive impact on many families. We were pleased that the Medicash Charitable Trust was able to provide support which will make a difference to people in real need.”
Tickets for the family meal nights can be obtained through local schools, youth clubs, fire and police services and social workers. The events will take place on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4pm-8pm. Meals are also available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Youth Club 4pm – 6pm. More information can be found on the Liverpool 6 Facebook page.