The UCKG – helping to feed those in need

Friday, 29 May 2020

The UCKG HelpCentre in Leeds is now running a regular Saturday soup kitchen at its premises at 12 Regent Street, LS2 7QA, to help feed people who are struggling as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the effect it is having on people’s livelihoods.

For the past two Saturdays, (May 15 and 23) it has been open for two hours from 11am, and on each occasion it provided food packs for over 50 people. Just over a third of those making use of the soup kitchen were homeless, while the rest were mainly families and young people, with just five seniors benefitting.

Pastor Marco, who is in charge at Leeds soup kitchen said: “One thing that we try to do well is to listen so that the provisions we supply really meet people’s needs. Recognising that homeless people, even when living in hostels and other temporary accommodation generally have very limited kitchen facilities, we plan our bags of provisions so that those who are homeless do not get items they cannot use.”

The Leeds soup kitchen therefore provides those who are homeless, with a hot sandwich, water, juice, and a sweet pastry, all donated by members of the Leeds HelpCentre and crisps, donated by the food redistribution charity, FareShare.

The other attendees, who are not homeless, are offered a parcel food with a mixture of donated items from Leeds members and FareShare. The food parcels typically contain essentials such as milk, pasta, canned food plus some vegetables and bread.

The UCKG HelpCentre’s soup kitchen in Leeds is its first in Yorkshire and first outside London. As the ongoing restrictions are still making it hard for homeless people and others in need to obtain free food, the UCKG has opened further soup kitchens at its London headquarters in Finsbury Park and branches in Kilburn and Peckham, in addition to the original one in Catford, South London.

All of these soup kitchens are run and operated by volunteers from the UCKG, who provide their own PPE and observe all necessary rules for safe service.

ENDS

Notes to editors

UCKG is a Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort and welcomes all- comers. It reached the UK in 1995 and has gone from strength to strength, providing support and spreading the Christian faith. There are UCKG HelpCentre branches in England and Wales.

For further information please contact the UCKG HelpCentre Press Officer via e-mail on press@uckg.org or direct line 020 7686 6033.