LENT began this week and across the Island for the next 40 days various churches and groups will be laying on simple lunches to raise money for those living in poverty.

Last year in Jersey Lent Lunches raised nearly £14,000 for Christian Aid and it is hoped this year will better that figure by at least five per cent.

Christian Aid, which works across the world to help those living in poverty, has this year launched the Five Percent Challenge, which challenges local groups to raise at least five per cent more money.

This year’s Lent Lunch calendar began on Wednesday with lunches at St Lawrence Parish Hall, The Bay Methodist Church, St Ouen’s Parish Hall and St Thomas’ Church and concludes on Good Friday, 10 April, at St Brelade’s Parish Hall, where there will also be a bric-à-brac stall.

At each event a simple lunch of bread and cheese, sometimes also soup, is served in exchange for a donation to Christian Aid.

In some cases Lent Lunch has been extended to include stalls to raise more money, and one of the Island’s churches has this year come up with an inventive alternative they hope will help attract more people.

Tomorrow All Saints Church, on the Parade, will be serving a cooked breakfast, or bacon sandwiches to those who would prefer them, in exchange for a donation in the church hall between 9 am and 12 pm.
There will also be a bookstall and a bric-à-brac stall, and Susan Barry, a regional director of Christian Aid, will be on hand to chat to people throughout the morning.

Ed Le Quesne, from the Christian Aid Jersey committee, has helped to co-ordinate this year’s events, and he said that Lent Lunches were a very good way to raise money for a worthy cause, respect the fasting of Lent and enjoy yourself.

‘It is a tradition that has been going on for a number of years and started as a simple lunch as part of the fasting of Lent to give up your elaborate lunch for a more simple meal,’ he said.

‘The money saved from buying your lunch goes to charity, and lots of people enjoy going to the lunches because it is a good social experience and raises money for people who are more needy than us.’

Everyone is welcome at the lunches, of which there are more than 70 planned, and Mr Le Quesne recommended that people contact their local church to find out when the next lunch is planned.

He also added that donations to Christian Aid are welcome throughout the year, not just during Lent, and people should also contact their local church, who would pass on any donations.