Helping the Hungry

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”For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome”

━ Matthew 25:35

As Catholics, we’re called to feed the hungry and care for our neighbours — and that’s exactly what we’re doing. At Caritas Southwark, we believe that Christ
is present in every person, especially those who are struggling. Whether it’s providing a hot meal, an emergency food parcel, or just a listening ear,
we’re here to offer practical help with a warm heart. Here’s how we’re doing our part to fight food poverty — and how you can be part of it too.

Why Does It Matter?

Pope Francis’ Teachings:

Pope Francis was very critical of the throwaway culture of modernity, saying “To throw food away is to throw people away”.

Scripture:

“Anyone who has two tunics must share with the one who has none, and anyone with something to eat must do the same” — (Luke 3:11).
“If one of the brothers or one of the sisters is in need of clothes and has not enough food to live on, and one of you says to them, ‘I wish you well; keep yourself warm and eat plenty,’ without giving them these bare necessities of life, then what good is that?” — (James 2: 15-17).

The Statistics:

14% of adults experienced food insecurity in January 2025, affecting an estimated 11.3 million people.
Even though food banks have seen a significant rise in demand, more than two-thirds of those facing food insecurity have not received aid. This reflects the widening gap between the scale of need and the available support.

What Does Caritas Southwark Do?

We have a close partnership with the local Caritas group in Ashford, which supports the community in practical and compassionate ways—collecting food for the Salvation Army and food banks, offering essentials to new mums, and welcoming refugees living in nearby hotels. Their flagship project, Café Caritas, runs every other Saturday, bringing parishioners together for friendship, conversation, and community over a warm drink — with plans to reach out to those facing homelessness in the area.

In Streatham, we support the Divine Love Soup Kitchen, which serves hot meals twice a month to around 35–40 people. Backed by 40 volunteers, this project offers more than food — it creates space for conversation, connection, and support, with volunteers also signposting guests to local services that can help.

What Can I Do?

We are called to respond with love, action and solidarity. We are working on creating a bank of resources for each of the below points, so please check again soon or reach out to us if you are looking for more practical advice in the interim.

Pray and Reflect:

Reflect on the issue of poverty and food insecurity, discerning how you are being called to help.

Advocate and Campaign:

Join advocacy campaigns like Trussell’s Trust to raise awareness about food insecurity and push for systemic change.

Organise Food Bank Collections:

Coordinate local food collections in your community or church to help stock food banks and support families in need.

What Can I Do?

Join a Food Recycling Scheme:

Help prevent food waste by joining local food rescue projects or food recycling schemes to redistribute surplus food to those in need.

Support or Open a Branch of a Credit Union:

Set up or join a credit union in your area to provide fair and affordable financial services to people struggling.

Establish a Warm Space:

Warm spaces offer a place for people to come out of the cold, have a meal and connect with others.

Other Groups & Organisations

Trussell Trust

An organisation leading the effort to end food poverty in the UK through food banks and advocacy

Find out more

St George's Community Fridge

Provides access to free food for those in need

Find out more

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