Soup Kitchen

Published Nov 8, 2021

Starting a soup kitchen is not a walk in the park. It entails sacrifices and commitment. So if you’re planning to open your very own soup kitchen, know that you’re in for a rough journey ahead.

Don’t get me wrong though. Starting and running a soup kitchen is definitely a challenge. But it’s also one of the most rewarding undertakings one can do. Besides, if we are to look at the numbers, the world needs soup kitchens now more than ever.

According to the United Nations, as many as 811 million people around the world faced hunger in 2020 – the highest in more than a decade. Of these, about 12 to 21 million rely on soup kitchens and food pantries. This underscores how important soup kitchens are, especially for people who have nowhere to go.

If you’re really determined to go down this road, here’s a quick guide on how to start a soup kitchen.

What Does a Soup Kitchen Do?

In a nutshell, a soup kitchen is a place where the poor and destitute can get free meals free of discrimination.

Despite what its name suggests, most soup kitchens serve more than just soup. Many serve hot lunches and even full-course meals. Some even give out packed to-go meals for their guests.

Aside from the free meals, some soup kitchens also provide their guests with other essentials. Here at Our Father’s Soup Kitchen, for instance, we give out hygiene kits in addition to clothes and shoes.

But the most important thing a soup kitchen does is bring the community together for a common goal: fight hunger. It bridges the gap between those who have the resources and those that desperately need them. This, in turn, breaks down social barriers as people from all walks of life come together to share a meal.

Food Pantry vs. Soup Kitchen

Before embarking on your soup kitchen journey, know that soup kitchens are different from food pantries.

As mentioned above, soup kitchens serve hot meals. A food pantry, on the other hand, is more like a distribution center. It gives out food supplies that are meant to last for a certain period of time.

In short, soup kitchens serve ready-to-eat meals while food pantries give out uncooked food items. This is because soup kitchens mostly cater to the homeless and those who have nowhere to cook their food. Food pantries, however, serve individuals and families who can’t afford to buy their own food.

Before You Get Started

As mentioned, getting a soup kitchen up and running isn’t an easy task. That’s why before getting started, you need to have a solid plan. Here are some of the things you need to consider when planning your soup kitchen’s operations:

1. Identify Your Goals

What do you hope to achieve with your soup kitchen? The answer to this question will help you identify your soup kitchen’s mission.

2. Evaluate Your Resources

Evaluating the resources you have access to is an important part of the planning process.

Do you have a community that’s willing to support your endeavor? What type of assistance can you get from government agencies? Include these in your planning as it will help you maximize those resources.

3. Define the Scope of Your Mission

No matter how much you want to provide all of the homeless’ needs, it’s just not feasible. This is why you need to define the scope of your mission.

What area are you serving? Will you just serve hot meals or will you also provide clothing and hygiene items? Let these questions serve as your guide when planning the extent of your services.

4. Develop a Food Service Plan

Because it serves food to people, a soup kitchen has to comply with food sanitation regulations too. This is why you need to develop a food service plan before starting your operations.

Your food service plan should include details like:

• the number of people you plan to serve daily
• food safety protocols
• the person in charge of the menu planning
• food service protocols for those with allergies and religious restrictions
• whether the food will be served in a cafeteria or restaurant style

Published October 17, 2021

By definition, a soup kitchen is a place where free food (usually soup and bread) is served to the homeless and destitute without judgment or discrimination. These places are usually run by charitable or religious organizations and staffed by volunteers. In reality, however, a soup kitchen is so much more than that.

What Does a Soup Kitchen Do?

A familiar feeling among homeless people is hopelessness. And we cannot blame them. When you have lost everything (your house, friends, and family), it’s inevitable to feel such desperation. Every single day, they have to keep fighting to survive. And every single day, they sink deeper into the quagmire of self-pity and desolation.

Soup kitchens have become a place of refuge for those less fortunate souls. It gives them hope that all is not lost and there are still people who care for them. In these havens, they are not judged, discriminated against, or made to feel like they’re worthless. Instead, they are cared for and treated as equals.

Aside from free food, most soup kitchens also provide other necessities such as clothing and hygiene kits. Though some soup kitchens only serve soup and bread, others serve a freshly-cooked full course meal. They also provide a take-out bag with a sandwich and other goodies.

The most important thing a soup kitchen does, however, is providing the homeless with a sense of belonging. For someone who doesn’t have a place of their own, this is a big deal, particularly during special occasions.

How Do Soup Kitchens Help the Community?

Throughout history and in most cultures, the sharing of food to the less fortunate is a common practice. Society has always felt a moral obligation to help its most vulnerable members.

This is how soup kitchens help the community. They provide a venue for those with resources to share their blessings with people who are in dire need of them.

Not only does it encourage charity, but it also brings the community together. It helps break societal boundaries as rich and poor, young and old gather together to share a meal. More importantly, it teaches young children the importance of empathy.

With more than 38 million people experiencing hunger in the US, about 12 to 21 million people rely on soup kitchens. This puts soup kitchens at the forefront in the fight against hunger and illustrates their importance, especially in low-income communities.

Published January 2nd, 2020

No other group of people deserves our gratitude more than volunteers. They lend their time, effort and resources to the less fortunate without expecting anything in return.

Though it’s not a paying job, it’s far from thankless. In fact, volunteers get something that no money can buy – fulfillment. The satisfaction of knowing that you’ve helped change lives is worth more than any material things. (Related: Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen)

Whether you’ve received help from a soup kitchen volunteer, these sample notes to thank soup kitchen volunteers will surely warm their hearts.

For Serving Food to the Homeless

Dear Volunteer,

The compassion you show to the people we serve is an inspiration for us all. I’ve noticed how you treat everyone with respect and kindness, no matter what the situation is. We both know how difficult it can be for the people who find themselves in need of the services we provide. Your words and actions go a long way toward helping them keep their dignity. I just want you to know that your work hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Thank you for all that you do.

Dear Volunteer,

Thank you so much for helping us out at the soup kitchen. We are always in need of volunteers who are hard-working, organized and get along well with the people we serve. Every year our food lines are longer and longer as there is an increasing number of people who find themselves in need of our services. It’s only with the assistance of local volunteers such as yourself that we can rise to meet the challenge.

Keep being an inspiration.

Dear Volunteer,

Having a volunteer as you help us on weekends has been a true game-changer for our soup kitchen. Thank you so much.

Because of your assistance, we’ve had more time to focus on improving and formulating new programs for the homeless. Thank you for having such a big heart and choosing to help us! I want you to know that homeless clients express how much you’ve helped them in times of crisis. I know it’s not always an easy job to service the homeless community, but it’s so incredibly fulfilling!

We appreciate you more than words can say.

Published October 31st, 2019

A soup kitchen is one of the few places where the homeless can get a free meal without judgment or discrimination. These institutions rely solely on the generosity of the people and run on donations. As such, they always appreciate people who are willing to donate their money and time.

There are many job requirements to volunteer at a soup kitchen. A sincere heart for helping the poor is most important. If you’re of school age, you might want to check with the volunteer coordinator first for age requirements.

If you still have no idea where to spend your free time, here are ten reasons why you should volunteer at a soup kitchen:

It’s A Very Rewarding Experience

Volunteering may not make you rich, but it gives you something more valuable than money: happiness. Helping those who are in need brings that kind of satisfaction that no amount of money can buy. It helps you find that elusive feeling of peace and contentment that luxury cars and flashy gadgets can’t give.

You Make a Difference in Someone’s Life

There is nothing more precious than seeing the smiles of the people you’ve helped. Just the mere knowledge that you’ve made a difference in someone’s life is enough to lift your soul. That’s when you know that you have a purpose. It helps you understand that the work you’re doing is much more than just cooking or serving food. You are changing a life – something that is empowering and humbling at the same time.

You Meet Like-Minded People

Volunteering is more than just helping out; it’s also a chance to make friends. You meet like-minded people who share your passion for helping the poor. It’s so much easier to form connections with people who share your views and interests.

It’s More Than Just Giving Back

Helping out in a soup kitchen is more than just giving back or feeling good about yourself. Nor is it an opportunity to snap a selfie and gather more likes on social media.

Think of it as more like an opportunity to fulfill a moral obligation. As humans, it’s our responsibility to help the more vulnerable members of our society. And helping the homeless is one great way of doing that.

You Learn More About Life

Part of meeting other people is learning about their life stories. Their experiences will teach you valuable lessons that you won’t learn about in books or movies. You’ll learn more about life, relationships, forgiveness, and sacrifices, among others. These lessons help you grow and become a better person. You will be allowing yourself an opportunity to view life from the perspective of others, not just from your own ethnic or socioeconomic status.