Burslem’s local community has rallied together to address the needs of their transient community members. Local volunteers and concerned citizens are truly on the frontlines in these efforts. Our friend Keith Dubbs planted the seed that grew into this initiative. It now provides critical services to not just rough sleepers, but all people experiencing economic depression and poverty in the region. The soup kitchen has seen a 180º transformation. Today it serves hot meals, provides crockpot packed lunches and now even has shower facilities available to those in need.
Keith Dubbs originated the concept, seeing so many rough sleepers looking for hot drinks at the local church. He felt a personal urgency to do something to save their lives. Recognizing a greater need, he said, “Imagine sleeping on the streets tonight? We’ve just got to do our bit.” His insight ignited a viral movement, soon to be much bigger than a viral act of any individual kindness.
One of those volunteers is Shane Khosa, owner of the nearby establishment Dirty Diner. He personally cooks hearty cooked breakfasts for his guests. He’s delivering meals to the vulnerable people at the soup kitchen. The operation has since expanded to serve as many as 200 people a week. On Mondays and Thursdays, it serves up two fabulous, made-from-scratch, healthy hot meals!
Today the soup kitchen’s services have expanded, such as offers a clothes bank and take away packed lunches. It continues to operate for all who would otherwise struggle to pay, with rough sleepers consistently comprising the biggest group of guests. The extension has been granted, but the operation still intends to close in late March. Thanks to wonderful public donations and a core crew of passionate volunteers, it’s still soldiering on.
The local Presbyterian minister, Kathryn Stevens, was well aware of the continued necessity of these services. She expressed her desire for a future without the need for a soup kitchen, stating, “We’d love to get to a time when there isn’t a need to have a soup kitchen.” She emphasized the reality of the situation, remarking, “Just because the weather might get a little bit better. People are still hungry, people are still struggling.”
Rebecca Griffiths, who’s been unhoused since the beginning of September, depends on the soup kitchen to survive. Her story illustrates just how vital these services can be to the community they serve. Shane Khosa saw a large homeless population when he lived in Stoke-on-Trent. Society’s shunning of this truth has resulted in a soup kitchen that is far too popular, he pointed out.
“As the initiative continues to thrive, Keith Dubbs reflected on its importance: “It became really clear that this need was 365 days a year.” But then he asked, why would you want to close when so many people depend on you being there for them.
