Brixton Soup Kitchen

Aim

The Brixton Soup Kitchen is looking to raise £45,000 to buy a van and a smart car to enable the BSK outreach team to reach those in need.

The Brixton Soup Kitchen is looking to raise £45,000 to buy a van and a smart car to enable the BSK outreach team to drive to key homeless spots around London and deliver hot food, drinks, warm clothes and sleeping bags to those that are in dire need. It will also help us spread the word about our service and help to challenge people’s perception about homeless people.

The Appeal: 

There are around 6,500 homeless people in London and this winter is set to be one of the coldest yet. It is vital that we help them. The number of homeless Londoners has doubled in the last two years so it is more important than ever to support those most in need.

Since beginning in January 2013 the Brixton Soup Kitchen has received NO funding whatsoever. They have solely survived on goodwill donations and money from their own pockets. The money needed for this project is extremely expensive, especially when taking into account the amount of funds needed to convert a van and kit it out with the necessary equipment for its specific role. This means that they are asking and pleading for YOUR support in helping them make a difference this winter.

Who We Are:

Brixton Soup Kitchen is a grassroots organisation helping homeless people and Londoners in need. It provides food, support and company with no obligation attached. It aims to empower people in a warm and friendly environment.

Grass-roots: Founded and run by Brixtoners who are truly part of the community

Food: Free food and drink for those that struggle to provide for themselves

Support: IT facilities, CV workshops, housing and benefits advice

Company: Friendly faces to chat to and shoulders to lean on

No obligation: You don’t have to prove your living situation or pray for your food

Empower: Help people get back on their feet

History:

Brixton Soup Kitchen was founded in January 2013, when Solomon Smith and Mahamed Hashi, Lambeth youth worker and lifelong Brixtonians realised there was a desperate need for such an organisation. We are initially based in Southwyck House but have recently moved to the Brixton Social club. The centre is currently open three days a week. We offer so much more than hot food and drinks; we provide CV workshops, job guidance and advice on housing and benefits.

What we’ve done in our first year:

Served up to 50 people a day food and hot drinks

Delivered food and distributed care packages to those in need

Received regular food donations from Greggs, Pret a Manger, Costa Coffee, Satay Bar and Nando’s

Helped 3 people get back into full time employment

Solomon has received the South London ‘Our Heroes’ Award in 2013 and Co-Director Mahamed Hashi has been nominated for the 2014 award

Delivered food to families in need

Outreach to homeless communities outside of Brixton (including Brighton, Hackney and Stratford)

Solomon’s Story

Founder Solomon Smith is a youth support worker born and bred on the Moorlands Estate. In his spare time he runs and funds Brixton Soup Kitchen. At secondary school, a lot of people were looking up motorbikes or cars - but, realising the community’s need, Solomon was looking up soup kitchens.

“When my mum cooked me rice, peas, chicken and boiled potato I was good for the whole day. So I’m thinking, okay: why don’t we do that for the homeless?”

Solomon is adamant that with the right support and guidance those in need can be helped back on their feet. It’s a never-say-never mindset that typifies everything Solomon does. Solomon freely admits to be a “bit of a terror” in his past, yet despite being diagnosed with dyslexia, Solomon recently graduated with honours in Marketing and in April 2013 was awarded the South London “Our Heroes” award for his work with the Soup Kitchen.

“Surviving on the street is hard work – it’s about re-channelling that energy” Solomon- founder

You can see that when people work from the heart and when people work for the money you get two different results. And Solomon works from the heart.

Hashi’s story

Hash was born on a rival estate to Solomon in Stockwell however doing youth work within the community allowed them to build a great friendship. The Soup Kitchen also does a lot of work with young people who have a range of different issues however no-one is turned away.

‘These young people are the future. You just have to get them to realise it. We feel that once you can get these young people to appreciate life and value their own worth you can almost immediately see the transformation’

Hashi feels that with a little belief and support people can change. Hashi was shot in 2008 while breaking up a gang fight but luckily survived. He decided to continue working with the young people and along with Solomon has helped build bridges between their respective estates. Now, through the soup kitchen, they have been able to get young people from both the estates to work together in supporting people less fortunate than themselves.

“People go to the Soup Kitchen, and come out stronger” – Larry, guest

“Surviving on the street is hard work; it’s about rechanneling that energy” – Solomon, founder 

Thank you for your time

This project closed unsuccessfully on 17th December 2014