Rochdale soup kitchen serving homeless and vulnerable people

St Chad's, Rochdale Parish Church is the base for the soup kitchen during the week

A soup kitchen started by Marilyn Jones and Vida Slater from the back of a car in 2013 now serves around 50 of Rochdale’s homeless and vulnerable people five days a week.

Marilyn and Vida began the weekly soup kitchen just before Christmas 2013 outside Rochdale Town Hall from the back of their car. As word grew and the pair began to help more people, the operation has gradually expanded to Tuesday-Saturday with the help of several volunteers.

Marilyn said: “There are a lot of homeless, needy and vulnerable people out in our community who need help. Just by giving them a cup of homemade soup, a bread roll, fresh orange juice or milk and some cake, can make a real difference to someone who's finding life tough. You wouldn't believe the gratitude people express.

“It's really heartwarming to know that, collectively, we're making a difference in someone's life. Basically, all our volunteers just have one aim: to make it a bit less difficult to get by. If we can put good food in someone's belly, that's one less thing for that person to worry about.”

In summer 2016, Rev Mark Coleman and Rev Sue Morgan from St Chad's Church offered their building as a base for the soup kitchen during the week, where they now run from 6pm until 6.45. They take whatever is left to Leopold Court, a council run hostel for the homeless. On Saturdays the kitchen serves a more substantial hot meal from the Step Project, Milnrow Road, feeding over 50 people.

The soup kitchen has a band of over 45 volunteers, who make soup and cakes, man the soup kitchen, or make donations to cover costs. They also have support from local businesses and organisations as Buckley Hall Prison makes bread every week, while Hopwood Hall College Catering Department students provide soup, bread and cakes. Morrisons donate any food they would otherwise throw away and Park Cakes regularly supply cake. Alfie, from Whiworth Chippy, donates any pies he doesn’t use, collects tins and packets of food from the public and also makes soup on a weekly basis.

Marilyn said: “I have to say a special thank you to these organisations, we are so grateful to them all for their contributions.

“Although we have never asked for money, people hear about what we are doing and just make donations. In fact, the soup kitchen is more or less self funding, as the soup makers do it for nothing.

“One of our young volunteers and two of her year nine school friends who attends Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar school, last year, won a young philanthropist of the year competition which put £1,500 in our funds.

The soup kitchen operates from St Chad's from Tuesday to Friday every week, 6pm-6.45pm, and on Saturdays from the Step Project 12noon-2pm.

Rev Mark Coleman: “Regularly, come rain or shine, food is served with a smile. We are so pleased to be able to host this excellent work."

If anyone is interested in volunteering, particularly on Saturdays, contact:

Vida on 07961 849034

Maureen on 07961 849034

Marilyn on 07817 150327