To commemorate Church Urban Fund’s Poverty Sunday on 21st June, St Cuthbert’s Marton, with St Agnes', Easterside, hosted a Poverty Sunday frugal lunch, which consisted of a basic meal of soup, bread and cheese. A Poverty Sunday frugal lunch is an occasion for communities to come together and reflect on the complex issues of poverty in England. It is also a valuable opportunity to raise money for Church Urban Fund’s life-changing work with the most vulnerable people in our communities. The congregations of St Cuthbert’s and St Agnes' raised over £300 for Church Urban Fund’s projects.
Lynsey Robinson, Fundraising and Communications Officer for Church Urban Fund, says, “Organising a frugal lunch and inviting friends to donate the cost of their usual Sunday lunch to Church Urban Fund helps to bring about lasting change in our society.
“Many people’s lives have been transformed through projects supported by Church Urban Fund. One such person was Calvin. Calvin was crippled by fear and anxiety, unable to leave his home, until he started attending the Grassroots community centre at St Philip’s Church in Nelson, Lancashire. Through their support and practical help, Calvin’s life was transformed, and he is now planning to become a volunteer at Grassroots to reach out to others.”
As well as facing financial poverty, many people suffer poverty of identity and the essential relationships they need to flourish. Church Urban Fund’s Web of Poverty indicates that there is a strong relationship between these different aspects of poverty. People are considered to be living in poverty when they are considerably worse off than the majority of the population, be that lacking in basic living necessities, strong relationships or a sense of self-worth.