The Grateful Bread, the island’s latest initiative offering meals to the needy, opened last night with about 120 people turning out for food and fellowship.

“This is good for the giver and the taker,” one of the guests at the St Andrew’s Church Hall told The Royal Gazette.

The venture, which falls on the last Thursday of each month, impressed organisers with its turnout.

“I was surprised to see how many people came, because it’s the first time,” volunteer Nick Snelling said, with fellow organiser Juliana Snelling calling the group “hugely gratified”.

Volunteers ranged from children to their parents, and the attendance illustrated the range of people facing challenges in affording a meal.

Guests ranged from the homeless to working people, mothers bringing their children, and young people collecting food for their grandparents.

A collection of sleeping bags, sheets and other items was brought to be donated, with all gratefully received.

Explained lawyer Richard Horseman: “We used to volunteer with the St John’s programme at St Augustine’s Church, and when that was discontinued, a bunch of us got together and decided to do this.

“This is the church that Juliana and I both grew up in, and they were kind enough to lend us their premises. Everyone seems to be enjoying it, and it’s good character building for our children to help out.”