Countdown to World Porridge Day
With less than three months to go until World Porridge Day, we wanted to let supporters know how they can get involved in this year’s event.
World Porridge Day, on Sunday October 10, is a chance for us to celebrate the work of Mary’s Meals and to let more people know about its role in feeding 400,000 of the world’s poorest children in their place of education.
The event was started last year at the suggestion the organisers of the World Porridge Making Championships, an international competition in Carrbridge, Scotland. They wanted to support Mary’s Meals because of the role that a maize-based porridge (called likuni phala) plays in Malawi, where children receive a nutritious mug every day at our school projects.
This year we are asking our supporters around the world to get involved and do something to mark World Porridge Day.
Perhaps you could hold a porridge (oatmeal) breakfast at your local church or community group, organise a flapjack sale at work, or just invite friends round for some oat cookies. It doesn’t have to be on Sunday October 10th, you could choose any date close by.
If you feel like doing something a bit more unusual, why not use porridge as the basis of a sponsored event, a competition, or even an attempt to break a world record!
World Porridge Day falls towards the end of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, so families could congregate for breakfast, watch the athletics, and do something to support a charity that provides school meals for working children in India at the same time.
If you are planning an event for World Porridge Day, please let us know at info@marysmeals.org. If we can help, please contact the same address or call 01838 200605.
This is a selection of activities that supporters organised last year:
● At the World Porridge Making championships in Carrbridge, volunteers served porridge to visitors, and gave out leaflets telling them about Mary’s Meals. A replica of Rabbie Burns’ porridge bowl was auctioned for the charity.
● In Medjugorje in Bosnia and Craig Lodge in Argyll, porridge was served and visitors were encouraged to try new and unusual toppings.
● In Malawi, children at Namiwawa Primary School near Blantyre enjoyed a porridge festival where they tasted Scottish porridge and sang and danced for local dignitaries.
● In London, a porridge stall formed part of the parish feast day at Our Lady of Muswell Hill church. In Carickmacross in Ireland, parishioners at St Joseph’s church enjoyed a bowl of porridge after the service.
● In Hampshire, supporters invited friends to their house for a flapjack tea (and put a Mary’s Meals collection box on the table).
● In La Fleix, France, a group of friends enjoyed a porridge party which included a trying Scottish country dancing.
● At Kingussie High school, pupils made a film and showed it at a special ‘porridge assembly. Pupils at Resolis Primary School had porridge as part of their Harvest Festival.
● In Loch Awe, Argyll, Girl Guides made ‘oatie bath bombs’. They learned that oats can be good for the skin and make great face masks.
● In Edinburgh, MSP Jamie McGrigor submitted a motion in support of the event.
Resources
The World Porridge Making Championships website
Mary’s Meals Fundraising Pack (includes sponsor form)
