Charity
Every Lent our PCC choses a charity that our church members are encouraged to support as part of our observance of Lent. This year the PCC has chosen AR PROJECTS, a Croydon based project run largely by volunteers who are providing a real service to those less fortunate.
‘AR Projects was founded in October 2020 to address food insecurity in London. After Stefan Jones, our founder, lost his mother to drug addiction and homelessness, he and our team set out to provide support to those in need.
In our first year, we realised that many Londoners face difficult situations, including poverty and drug addiction. As a result, we registered as a Community Interest Company (not-for-profit) in December 2021 to reach more people and provide our services to them.’
Among the services they now provide are:
AR FOOD PROJECT Direct food aid delivered through our food banks, soup kitchens, homeless outreach and emergency food parcel program.
AR COMMUNITY PROJECTS Provide training through our programs and workshops aimed to help the community gain skills and employment.
AR HYGIENE PROJECT Direct hygiene support for people that need it the most. Delivered through our Baby banks, Food bank and Community hub.
This year the Holy Season of Lent coincides with the month of Ramadan, when our Muslim fellow citizens and neighbours also fast and reflect on their need to be charitable. At St Stephen’s we are proud to support a neighbourhood charity that is supported by both Muslims and Christians.
Bernhard Schunemann
8 March 2026
