A CHURCH will be able to provide free holiday meals for schoolchildren after receiving a substantial financial grant.

St Helens Baptist Church, on Hall Street, is hoping to transform itself into a community facility.

And it has been awarded a significant boost with a donation of £11,860, which will enable the creation of a new kitchen.

The money, given by The Veolia Environmental Trust, will allow free meals for children when schools are closed and it will also enable healthy and inexpensive food to be served in the church’s café.

The Star has reported in the past figures that suggest nearly a fifth of St Helens children could be living in poverty and there have been concerns some families struggle to find the extra money needed for food during school holidays.

The church is currently finalising the details of the project and it is hoped that work will then commence as soon as possible.

“The church has already been improved structurally and cosmetically, and this grant means that we are one step closer to improving the facilities inside,” said John McMenamy, St Helens Baptist Church’s building committee chairperson.

“The kitchen will benefit the whole community and we cannot wait for work to get started.”

Executive director of Veolia, Paul Taylor, added: “We were pleased to be able to be able to help this project to improve the facilities at St Helens Baptist Church.

“The grant shows how the Trust and the Landfill Communities Fund are a vital source of funding for projects that are really needed, and which will make a real difference to people’s lives and the environment. We look forward to seeing work start.”