Soup Run
Victory Highway Ministries soup run has worked in Southampton for 30 years. Going one evening per week, we made several established stops around the city centre. Free hot drinks and food, emergency clothing and sleeping bags were handed out. Between 20-60 people were fed each week. The main purpose of the soup run was to meet emergency needs on the streets, to signpost people to agencies where they can get appropriate help and to offer hope into sometimes hopeless situations. At Christmas, we gave each person a bag with individually wrapped presents.
From 3rd September 2018 the Soup Run has a different focus. We are now running outside of the Victory Gospel Church in Portswood on Monday evenings from 8pm-9pm and are not only available to help rough sleepers in Southampton but the hidden poor within our locality. Poverty is on the rise in Southampton especially amongst the working class with young families and pensioners. We offer food, some clothing, a listening ear and a signposting service. We also have on duty a Soup Run Chaplain who is there to listen and offer further support. The following morning we are available to give any clients who need it, a bit more time by phoning agencies on their behalf and offering any other practical support. It is our desire to not only meet the emergency needs of our local neighhourhood but to empower people to bring change to their situations.
The soup run is funded by the congregation of Victory Gospel Church and other donations. The new soup run store and kitchen will be housed in the recovery centre.
From 3rd September 2018 the Soup Run has a different focus. We are now running outside of the Victory Gospel Church in Portswood on Monday evenings from 8pm-9pm and are not only available to help rough sleepers in Southampton but the hidden poor within our locality. Poverty is on the rise in Southampton especially amongst the working class with young families and pensioners. We offer food, some clothing, a listening ear and a signposting service. We also have on duty a Soup Run Chaplain who is there to listen and offer further support. The following morning we are available to give any clients who need it, a bit more time by phoning agencies on their behalf and offering any other practical support. It is our desire to not only meet the emergency needs of our local neighhourhood but to empower people to bring change to their situations.
The soup run is funded by the congregation of Victory Gospel Church and other donations. The new soup run store and kitchen will be housed in the recovery centre.
Staff at DST Bluedoor Pty Ltd. collected and donated personal care items for us to hand out on the soup run.
We received a donation of warm hoodies from Faith and Football. Such items along with warm, waterproof zip up jackets, men's jeans and trainers are always gratefully received.
On the last soup run before Christmas we handed out a bag of individually wrapped Christmas presents to each person met as well as the usual food. The presents included a pair of warm gloves, a pair of socks, shortbread and chocolate. These were wrapped up by the oldest member of Victory Gospel Church, Mrs. Mack. A handwritten Christmas card was also included. A short film of that evening's soup run may be found on our facebook page www.facebook.com/vhrc.soton.
