A youth service from a Liverpool church is providing monthly support to the city's homeless population through a volunteer-led food distribution program. The 'Feed the Faith' initiative, organised by members of St. Mary and St. Cyril's Coptic Orthodox Church, aims to offer both practical help and a message of hope to those living on the streets.
The most recent event, held on Thursday, October 9, saw volunteers distribute 25 food parcels. This effort comes as recent data from July 2025 shows more than 1,700 households in Liverpool are currently in temporary accommodation, highlighting the growing need for community support services.
Key Takeaways
- The 'Feed the Faith' youth service provides monthly food parcels to homeless individuals in Liverpool.
- The initiative is organised by Fady Armanyous, 23, and Daniel Fahmy, 21, from St. Mary and St. Cyril's Coptic Orthodox Church.
- Each parcel contains sandwiches, snacks, fruit, water, and a bible verse intended to offer comfort.
- The group funds, prepares, and distributes the food using their own resources.
- The service operates against a backdrop of rising homelessness, with over 1,700 Liverpool households in temporary housing.
A Community-Led Response to Homelessness
The 'Feed the Faith' program is driven by two young members of the St. Mary and St. Cyril's Coptic Orthodox Church community, Fady Armanyous, 23, and Daniel Fahmy, 21. Their church primarily serves the Arabic and Ethiopian communities in Liverpool.
As active members of the church's youth service, they identified a need to support vulnerable people in the city centre. Their solution was a regular, self-funded outreach program that provides essential supplies directly to those in need. The group aims to organise this distribution every month, creating a consistent point of contact and support.
How the Program Works
The process is managed entirely by the youth volunteers. Using their own resources, they purchase food and supplies to assemble care packages. On this occasion, they prepared twenty-five bags for distribution.
The contents are carefully considered to provide a balanced meal and practical items. Each bag typically includes:
- Sandwiches (with options like ham and cheese or chicken)
- A selection of snacks
- An apple for a healthy option
- A bottle of water
- A card with a bible verse
Once the bags are packed, the volunteers take to the streets of Liverpool to hand them out, engaging with individuals and offering a moment of connection.
More Than Just a Meal
For the organisers, the initiative is about more than just providing food; it's about offering a sense of hope and reassurance. Fady Armanyous explained the core motivation behind their work.
"At the bare minimum, it gives someone food, it gives someone a reason to smile," he said. "Maybe someone is having a rough day... maybe we could affect a life, even if it’s one percent it’s a win for us."
A unique element of their parcels is the inclusion of a bible verse, which changes with each distribution. Daniel Fahmy noted that this is a key part of their mission to share faith and comfort.
The verse included in the October 9th parcels was: “Fear not for I am your God, and I am with you.”
Daniel explained the significance of this message. "I feel like it really relates to what people need to hear and sometimes it’s like God’s message to everyone and it’s really touching for most people."
Previous Positive Feedback
Fady Armanyous mentioned that the group has received positive feedback in the past from recipients who found comfort in the verses. "We’ve had that feedback actually, a couple of times in the past," he shared, adding that people have told them, "oh I needed to hear that today."
This feedback reinforces their belief that even a small gesture can have a meaningful impact. "In any way shape or form if we make a person one percent happier or feeling more reassured or closer to God or anything at all, then that’s a massive win for us," Fady added.
Challenges and Future Aspirations
While the program has been a success, organising a volunteer-led initiative comes with its own set of challenges. According to Daniel, the primary hurdle is coordinating the volunteers.
"The hardest part was reaching out to the youth and making sure they could attend," he explained. However, he was quick to add that once the team is assembled, the work flows smoothly. "It’s honestly a piece of cake."
Both organisers were pleased with the turnout for their latest event, calling it a "massive success." They are optimistic about the future of 'Feed the Faith' and its potential to grow.
Daniel stated that he could "really see this programme going places and affecting a lot of people." Fady echoed this sentiment, saying, "Hopefully, we get more blessings and all of us just keep improving."
The Wider Context of Homelessness in Liverpool
The work of voluntary groups like 'Feed the Faith' is increasingly vital. According to official figures from July 2025, more than 1,700 households in Liverpool were living in temporary accommodation. This statistic underscores the scale of the housing crisis in the city.
Liverpool City Council provides a helpline for individuals who are legally homeless and meet the eligibility criteria. To be considered legally homeless, a person must be evicted, unable to remain in their home, or forced to leave for safety reasons. The council can assist qualifying applicants with housing, though eligibility requirements vary, particularly for non-UK citizens.
The Importance of Grassroots Support
As the number of people facing housing insecurity remains high, the role of community-based services becomes more critical. Initiatives like 'Feed the Faith' demonstrate the impact that dedicated volunteers can have.
By providing not only food but also human interaction and messages of support, the youth group from St. Mary and St. Cyril's church is addressing an immediate need while fostering a sense of community. Their monthly commitment provides a reliable source of help for some of Liverpool's most vulnerable residents.