Peckham Soup Kitchen Faces Urgent Search for New Home After Notice to Leave
Peckham Soup Kitchen, a vital community resource, is scrambling for a new location after being given notice to vacate its current site by January 24
Peckham, UK, Soup Kitchen, Community Support, Food Poverty, Dean Foster
The soup kitchen has been operating there for about a year, thanks to some help from Berkeley Homes. But now, with the notice to leave, they’re scrambling to find somewhere affordable to keep their important work going. Dean Foster, one of the co-founders, mentioned they always knew the spot was temporary but thought the council would help them find something more permanent.
While Dean and his team are on the hunt for a new location, the Southwark council hasn’t been much help. They claim there aren’t any suitable properties available around Rye Lane. Cllr John Batteson acknowledged the soup kitchen’s situation but didn’t offer any real solutions, which left Dean feeling pretty frustrated.
He pointed out that the council often sends people their way for support, but when it comes to helping the kitchen itself, there’s been a lack of assistance. It’s a tough situation, especially since many families in Peckham are struggling, with 40% of kids living in poverty.
Peckham MP Miatta Fahnbulleh also chimed in, calling the soup kitchen a vital resource, especially during the cost-of-living crisis. She’s urging everyone to pitch in and support their work.
Since starting in 2022, the soup kitchen has seen a shift in who’s coming for help. Initially, it was mostly the homeless and those battling addiction, but now they’re seeing folks in suits walking through the door. They do more than just serve meals; they also hand out food parcels, groceries, and clothing, and run various community activities.
Dean, who grew up in Peckham, highlighted the issue of social mobility. He’s noticed that kids today are often raised by their older siblings because parents are working long hours. The sense of community has changed too, and he feels it’s affecting the younger generation.
To bring back that sense of belonging, the soup kitchen serves hearty meals like jollof rice and shepherd’s pie. They even partner with a local Caribbean street food business for their deliveries.
Dean shared a personal story about friends who used food banks and wanted to forget that experience. His goal is to make sure people have a positive memory of the soup kitchen. If they can’t find a new home soon, he might have to set up pop-up kitchens or team up with another organization. But he’s determined to keep going and is calling for help to ensure they can continue their mission.