Help is at hand for people who have been benefit sanctioned, in financial difficulty or suffer isolation and are in need of friendship. Walney Community Kitchen offers a free hot meal in a safe, friendly environment to those who find themselves in dire straits.
Last year, the group formed a community kitchen at St. Matthew’s Hall on Highfield Road, and has been a vital source of food and friendship for many people over the last 12 months. The idea for a Soup Kitchen in Barrow was the brainchild of John Wright, Sharon Foden and Anthony Merchant. After hearing the terrible story of an ex- serviceman who died, starving and penniless due to having his benefits stopped, they realised that this could happen to anyone, and wanted to make a real difference to help people on their own doorstep who are starving, and facing hard times due to benefit sanctions.
Now, a second community kitchen is opening and they need your help.
Would you like to volunteer? Could you spare a few hours each week to help out? You may have skills or talents you would like to teach at the kitchen. If so the team would love to speak to you!
They are holding an open day on the 4th November at 6pm at The Leonard Cheshire Centre on Central Drive, Walney. So pop along, meet the community kitchen staff and find out more about the initiative and details on how you can volunteer.
As well as providing food, there will be regular events held by the group throughout the year, all in aid of supporting the community. The staff are a great bunch of people who will always make you feel welcome and offer assistance and friendship to all.
The great thing about Barrow and Furness is when a cry for help goes out it’s amazing just how many people answer that call, roll their sleeves up and get stuck in. Barrow Community Kitchen became such a great success because local people really got behind it, donating their time, money, food, ideas, skills and energy.
Let’s all help to make Walney Community Kitchen do the same.
