How to help our city's lifeline soup kitchen to pick up national award

It's a ray of light in the community - and Sunderland Soup Kitchen needs your help to win a national award.

- by Katy Wheeler

Stephen McKinnell, Wendy Ward and Trevor Patrick from Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen.

The soup kitchen in Sunniside, that supports people experiencing homelessness, hunger and poverty, has been nominated in a national competition, The BIG Christmas Giveback, which aims to shine a light on the positive work happening in local communities.

Should it win, from the most votes, the team will win £1,500 worth of Sunderland Gift Cards, which can be used at businesses across the city, which they plan to give to service users.

Located on High Street West, the charity provides a range of services for those in need including meals and clothing.

Their kitchen, Albert's Place, offers meals for £1 or free of charge.

TriBeCa, their community hub, is a warm space and educational facility. The hub has sessions for alcohol issues, educational programs including cooking, energy advice, CV writing and employment advice.

An in-house seamstress carries out repairs and alterations alongside making items raise funds, and regular cream tea fundraisers are hosted.

The charity is also behind Funky G on East Cross Street, which sells pre-loved clothing, and has a mobile horsebox 'Davy' which distributes food, hot chocolate and tents in Sunderland city centre twice each week.

Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen also operates two allotments, growing fruit and vegetables for free distribution and to use in Albert's Place kitchen.