Serving your community through lunches 

With one third of children in the UK growing up in poverty and many families struggling with loneliness, isolation, and mental health challenges, TLG Make Lunch provides a tool that enables churches to offer practical help and build relationships. Rob Stevenette explains more

Everything at TLG (Transforming Lives for Good) begins with the local church. When TLG first began in 1999, we were working with one church responding to the needs of struggling children in the local community – now we are equipping more than 200 churches.

This nationwide movement of hundreds of churches brings hope and a future to thousands of struggling children, believing that the difference made in the life of just one child can echo into eternity. At the heart of TLG is the unwavering belief that the local church has the power to transform lives.

For 25 years, TLG has been in partnership with churches across the UK of all shapes and sizes. More than 15 of those are Baptist churches.

TLG equips churches to run Make Lunch clubs, offering children and families hot, nutritious food alongside fun activities and supportive friendships. TLG Make Lunch clubs offer families support when it’s needed most, operating during school holidays and building relationships all year round with the local church family.

Here’s what one mum has had to say since coming along to Make Lunch, ‘I didn’t want to speak to people. So, when we were offered to come to Make Lunch, that was the only group I came to.

‘It’s kind of changed my perception. The support we needed was financial. And a friend. I’ve been supported emotionally here to the max. I can trust them with my children. It makes me think I’m not alone anymore.’

Harry smiles, ‘The volunteers at Make Lunch are really nice. The church feels like a family. I feel happier now that we come to Make Lunch! I think that Mum and Dad feel less worried now.’

You can read and watch more of what’s been happening at TLG Make Lunch at Cleveleys Baptist Church, Blackpool. here: TLG - Joe's Story
 

The opportunity

With one third of children in the UK growing up in poverty and many families struggling with loneliness, isolation, and mental health challenges, TLG Make Lunch provides a tool that enables you to connect with your community and offer practical help and build relationships.


The impact

We can sometimes feel a sense of despair when we read about the struggles many are facing in the UK today, but 1128 incredible Make Lunch volunteers have brought hope into the lives of local families, serving 110,947 meals in 2023 alone.


How we help

At TLG Make Lunch, we know it can be challenging to connect with and build trust with local families in a meaningful way. Our expert volunteer training, ongoing support, practical advice, funding opportunities, and data insights can help your church make a difference in your community by doing something as simple and practical as making lunch.

Here’s an amazing example of what that looks like in Devon at Okehampton Baptist Church: TLG Make Lunch making a difference in Baptist Churches!

What to do next

It all starts with a conversation. Through this link, you can reach out to find out more: TLG - Make Lunch. Or feel free to email partnerships@tlg.org.uk
 

Images and video | TLG

Rob Stevenette is the Head of Church Partnership at TLG