Mansfield soup kitchen now calling on businesses to step up and help

Volunteers feeding the homeless at the Mansfield soup kitchen, held in the market place every week, now appeal to businesses to support them.

Maria Gibson, 50, from Mansfield Woodhouse who is a community activist and volunteer for the kitchen said: “This group has grown so big and we are doing so much good but there are still so many people we need to help.” The group was only founded in November last year and now feeds around 40 people every week on the market stalls in Mansfield town centre and relies on donations of food and money to keep it going.

Maria said: “There are some businesses who have got behind us and that is really appreciated but there are so many shops and tradespeople that if everyone does a little bit we help more people get access to regular hot meals.”

The soup kitchen is calling on businesses to set up donation boxes and staff members bring in an item or two that can be used to make a pack up food up that a homeless person can take away with them.

“We are trying to more than just provide the people in need with more than just a hot meal, nurses, barbers and social workers are all giving up their time to help,” Maria said.

“Times are tough, it’s just after Christmas but we have a roof over our heads, a bed to sleep in and food to eat and we need to realise just how lucky we are.” During the bad weather Maria said homeless people were hanging their sheets and sleeping bags over the market stalls to try and dry them out before they left for the night.

“That is no way to live.

“Now is the time for people to giveback to those down on their luck.”

The soup kitchen meet every Tuesday night, although from February this will change to Wednesdays as that will mean there is a service providing meals every night.

Maria said: “We are in this for the long haul and want to make a difference, so even if businesses make a monthly donation or every couple of months it will all make a difference but if everyone gets involved it shouldn’t be too hard to fill the gaps.” A donation of £500 was recently made to the group which was spent on more hot plates and the kitchen say they are indebted to Mansfield District Council who set up the market prior to the kitchen opening.

She added: “We now need to try and get private landlords on board who are willing to take a chance on these people, with no fixed address they can’t claim benefits, with no money they can’t get a house they are stuck in loop which needs breaking.”

Any businesses wishing to set up a collection point should contact Maria on 07771333198.