Bournemouth charity releases an appeal to help those in need

Hope for Food, an independent initiative that started as a soup kitchen in 2012, is now helping 160 families with food and other necessities.  

An advent calendar is another way for people to get involved in addressing the fundamental issue of food insecurity for the vulnerable. 

Mary, a retired teacher who has volunteered for charity since 2016, said, “Hope for food and food for hope. In addition to food, we have some clothing, bedding, and kitchen stuff, as vulnerable people and those moving off the streets face significant difficulties in this unstable time.”  

Hope for Food sends food boxes to vulnerable families weekly, ensuring they have the essential items. Social services usually refer individuals to them. Grant, who joined Hope for Food in April, says that the charity is about providing people with hope for food and a better life. 

This local charity is independent but open to collaborations. It works with various churches and cooperates with regional hubs.  

The soup kitchen continues, providing families with hot meals, needed clothes, and company daily. They feed over 80 vulnerable people outdoors every Thursday and serve almost 100 people a hot meal indoors every Sunday evening at  St Andrew’s URC in Bournemouth.  

Local businesses also get involved—one of the owners, Fiona, volunteers with Hope of Food.  

The company supports the charity financially, having adopted them as their charity, and felt they should give back to the local community.  

In addition, Fiona cooks every other Sunday, producing 50 meals and creating a warm atmosphere for those who need help.  

She said: “There is a story which broke my heart. A man, who was sleeping rough, approached us and asked if he could help set up for us. Of course, we said yes. His life story was one of losing everything at once and wandering in homelessness, not realising that. That is when you realise that any of us could be him. Lonely, left by everyone, not knowing where to go. But everyone in Hope for Food  loved him, so when he died recently, almost 200 people were there.” 

Fiona added: “For some people, our meal is the only hot meal they have in the whole week. For some, it is the only time they can come together with others in the warm room. And it is so heartbreaking to see in this day and age. Our biggest hope is that one day, there will be no need for Hope For Food because the issue of homelessness will be resolved.”