Make Lunch
The school holidays can be the hardest weeks of the year for children experiencing food insecurity. With over 4.3 million children living in poverty, almost a third of children in the UK are at risk of food insecurity. Whilst other children relax from schoolwork, enjoy days out and holiday treats, these children’s lives shrink even further.
It poses an urgent question. What happens to the children in your community when their basic needs are unmet?
TLG equips and mobilises local churches to create safe, welcoming spaces in the holidays that offer nutritious meals, fun activities and friendships for children and families. We call these our Make Lunch clubs.
Since Make Lunch began, our partner churches have provided over one million meals to tens of thousands of children who would otherwise go hungry. On average, a TLG Make Lunch club supports 70 children and family members! All our clubs are run by volunteers with a heart for community, belonging and meals that matter.
Did you know?
There were 4.3 million children living in poverty in the UK in 2023. That's 31% of children, or nine in a classroom of 30.
- Department for Work and Pensions
Did you know?
Children living in relative poverty are almost twice as likely to report feeling lonely.
- The Children’s Society Household Survey
Did you know?
1 in 3 parents from low-income families have skipped a meal so that their children can eat during the school holidays.
- Kellogg's
Did you know?
1 in 5 children in the UK face food insecurity, one of the highest rates in Europe.
- UNICEF
Things had got so bad that my daughter's school had put things in place for us over the school holidays. One of the things we were told about was the Make Lunch club at the Baptist church in town. Make Lunch has turned out to be a lifesaver for us – a complete godsend. - Joanne, mum of one
Find out more!
Our vision is to see TLG Make Lunch clubs transforming the lives of struggling children and families through churches in all four corners of the UK. Start your journey with us today by making an enquiry and downloading our helpful brochure.
I'd like to enquire about running TLG Make Lunch at my church
Download the Make Lunch 'getting you started' brochure (PDF)
Does your church already run a Make Lunch club?
Access your Kitchen Cupboard here!
This is a resource site for Lunch Makers - those of you who are overseeing the running of all our Make Lunch Kitchens across the UK. Log in here to access resources, ideas, recipes, policy documents and more.
To see the real impact that TLG Make Lunch has on the lives of children at risk of going hungry during the school holidays, take a look at these amazing stories of transformation from some of the families we've supported:
Andy's story
When Andy started coming to TLG Make Lunch, his family were struggling financially due to their immigration status. After their lives were so transformed by their church, they continued to show up - but now as volunteers!
Read moreJasmine and Jamiey-Louise's story
For Jasmine and Jamiey-Louise's family, health complications made life exceptionally challenging. Thanks to the support they received from their local church family, the burden of anxiety and stress was lessened dramatically.
Read moreJoe's Story
For 8-year-old Joe and his mum, Davinia, TLG Make Lunch has been a much-needed lifeline as the cost of living rises to an unmanageable level.
Read more
