How to Start a Soup Kitchen and Help the Homeless

Published Nov 8, 2021

Starting a soup kitchen is not a walk in the park. It entails sacrifices and commitment. So if you’re planning to open your very own soup kitchen, know that you’re in for a rough journey ahead.

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Don’t get me wrong though. Starting and running a soup kitchen is definitely a challenge. But it’s also one of the most rewarding undertakings one can do. Besides, if we are to look at the numbers, the world needs soup kitchens now more than ever.

According to the United Nations, as many as 811 million people around the world faced hunger in 2020 – the highest in more than a decade. Of these, about 12 to 21 million rely on soup kitchens and food pantries. This underscores how important soup kitchens are, especially for people who have nowhere to go.

If you’re really determined to go down this road, here’s a quick guide on how to start a soup kitchen.

What Does a Soup Kitchen Do?

In a nutshell, a soup kitchen is a place where the poor and destitute can get free meals free of discrimination.

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Despite what its name suggests, most soup kitchens serve more than just soup. Many serve hot lunches and even full-course meals. Some even give out packed to-go meals for their guests.

Aside from the free meals, some soup kitchens also provide their guests with other essentials. Here at Our Father’s Soup Kitchen, for instance, we give out hygiene kits in addition to clothes and shoes.

But the most important thing a soup kitchen does is bring the community together for a common goal: fight hunger. It bridges the gap between those who have the resources and those that desperately need them. This, in turn, breaks down social barriers as people from all walks of life come together to share a meal.

Food Pantry vs. Soup Kitchen

Before embarking on your soup kitchen journey, know that soup kitchens are different from food pantries.

As mentioned above, soup kitchens serve hot meals. A food pantry, on the other hand, is more like a distribution center. It gives out food supplies that are meant to last for a certain period of time.

In short, soup kitchens serve ready-to-eat meals while food pantries give out uncooked food items. This is because soup kitchens mostly cater to the homeless and those who have nowhere to cook their food. Food pantries, however, serve individuals and families who can’t afford to buy their own food.

Before You Get Started

As mentioned, getting a soup kitchen up and running isn’t an easy task. That’s why before getting started, you need to have a solid plan. Here are some of the things you need to consider when planning your soup kitchen’s operations:

1. Identify Your Goals

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What do you hope to achieve with your soup kitchen? The answer to this question will help you identify your soup kitchen’s mission.

2. Evaluate Your Resources

Evaluating the resources you have access to is an important part of the planning process.

Do you have a community that’s willing to support your endeavor? What type of assistance can you get from government agencies? Include these in your planning as it will help you maximize those resources.

3. Define the Scope of Your Mission

No matter how much you want to provide all of the homeless’ needs, it’s just not feasible. This is why you need to define the scope of your mission.

What area are you serving? Will you just serve hot meals or will you also provide clothing and hygiene items? Let these questions serve as your guide when planning the extent of your services.

4. Develop a Food Service Plan

Because it serves food to people, a soup kitchen has to comply with food sanitation regulations too. This is why you need to develop a food service plan before starting your operations.

Your food service plan should include details like:

• the number of people you plan to serve daily
• food safety protocols
• the person in charge of the menu planning
• food service protocols for those with allergies and religious restrictions
• whether the food will be served in a cafeteria or restaurant style

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Categories: Kitchens