News / Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2023
Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2023, day 11: The Mazi Project
The MAZI Project works to empower Bristol’s 16-25 year olds through food.
The Community Interest Company works with an increasing number of young people in the city to develop and deliver delicious healthy recipe boxes to their doorsteps.
In Bristol alone, 1318 under 25 year-olds are at risk of homelessness, and between 2020 and 2021, over 6,633 young people in Bristol suffered from severe to moderate food insecurity.
is needed now More than ever
Founded in 2021 in response to the Free School Meal Scandal in January that year, the charity’s founder Melanie channelled her anger and decided to take action.
Founder, Melanie, felt compelled to launch the Mazi Project after the government’s handling of school meals in January 2021 – photo: The Mazi Project
Now the Mazi Project has delivered over 19,000 meals, and 13,800 boxes from its base on North Street in Bedminster.
The project works to empower and nurture young people, some of whom are victims of domestic abuse, asylum seekers, care leavers and youth recovering from homelessness, by building connections with Bristol’s food scene for employment opportunities.
Their partners include Bristol hospitality heavyweights like the Pony, Bianchis, Hart’s Bakery and Box-E, as well as charities like Caring in Bristol, Feeding Bristol and 1625 Independent People. They are always on the lookout for volunteers and local businesses and restaurants to work with.
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The Mazi Project has also been working with Southville restaurant, Sonny Stores, on its ‘Give-A-Box’ scheme, a special initiative delivering seasonal recipe boxes curated by some of Bristol’s best chiefs, to people’s door.
And if that’s not enough, the Mazi Project also has a pretty famous ambassador, Game of Thrones star and Bristol-born Maisie Williams, who recently teamed up with Shoreditch Ski Club to create the MAZI Coat. All profits from the coat will be donated to the Mazi Project.
This Christmas, the Mazi Project has launched its MAZIMAS Winter Trail, where the public can dine at local restaurants in Bristol and in doing so, raise money to support young people. Last year, the fundraiser raised over £3,000 and this year, they are aiming to raise £5,000.
Main photo: @khaliphotography
Read next:
- Bristol charity advent calendar, day 10: Share Bristol
- Bristol charity advent calendar, day 5: Young Bristol
- Bristol charity advent calendar, day 7: St Mungo’s
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