Rochdale soup kitchen marks its fifth year of supporting people in need
A Rochdale soup kitchen is marking its fifth year of supporting people in need.
Volunteer team Army of Kindness runs a soup kitchen every Tuesday between 5:30pm–6:30pm at Eden House on Town Meadows.
The soup kitchen was set up in December 2015 to provide hot meals, winter clothing and a barbering service for people in need.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the soup kitchen has seen an increase in the number of families needing meals.
Army of Kindness co-founder Mohammed Sheraz, 43, said: “Food poverty is a big thing. A lot of families are struggling. People have lost their jobs.
“It’s going to be a five year milestone in December and it’s not a celebration that we wanted.
“We’re just here to help serve people.”
Mr Sheraz added that the soup kitchen is a “lifeline” to people who are just looking for someone to talk to.
In August, Army of Kindness received a £1000 grant from Action Together to support the increased demand for food.
Other recent sponsors include Cha Chas, The Ice Cream Shop, Hopwood Hall College and Penny Appeal.
Army of Kindness has 40 volunteers aged between 14 and 74.
Senior volunteer Mohammed Haashim, 17, said the soup kitchen’s food supply is now “twice the size”.
He added: “I’ve been here since day one. We’ve been helping anyone that needs food.
“With lockdown, there’s a lot more vulnerable people out there.”
Tony Lloyd, Labour MP for Rochdale, said: “No child should go hungry and no family should live in poverty. In this country, which is one of the richest in the world, it shouldn’t happen.
“The really great thing about towns like Rochdale are the many people who step forward with acts of kindness — whether big or small.
“So let’s applaud all those, including the Army of Kindness, and anyone else who chooses kindness as their way of life. Let’s stand together for those who really need it.”
The soup kitchen is open for collection of hot meals on Christmas Day from 1pm–3pm.
To donate food, call Army of Kindness at 07788314696.
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