Big Breakfast adapts to meet the needs of the city…

I’m Sue Ward, and I’ve been a volunteer at Big Breakfast for a number of years now.  Until Covid-19, Big Breakfast has been a weekly free breakfast hosted at Above Bar Church, right in the city centre.  It's for anyone in need – homeless people, those on benefits, lonely people and more.  Most weeks about 80-85 of us would share a meal together.

But Covid-19 changed that - we of course could no longer meet for the breakfast and our normal way of doing things had to be thrown out the window. But along with Sanjay and the rest of the team we’ve adapted and now we’re doing more than ever!  We’ve been serving packed lunches to the homeless in B&Bs and hostels and doing food deliveries for the street homeless.  By the middle of June we’d given out over 440 food parcels, almost 2,000 packed lunches, over 300 lunch packs for people who are homeless and over 3,000 frozen meals. In the first twelve weeks alone we were able to donate nearly £25k worth of food!  

The reality is that the need is continuing to grow as B&B schemes end for the homeless, the furlough scheme draws to a close and more people face unemployment.  So far we’ve supported ex-offenders, single-parent families, schools, members of the Muslim community, Southampton Sight, Safe Families UK, The Booth Centre and so many more.  With the support of donations from Fareshare, UK Harvest and Basics Bank, we’re trying to help as many people as we can in the city.  

For me personally, being involved in the new Big Breakfast has also had a big impact.  At first I couldn’t cope with lockdown and being stuck in my flat.  Big Breakfast has been a lifeline as I can get out and about every day and make my contribution.  I’ve also enjoyed being creative about how to support people during the pandemic, and we’re already coming up with ideas for the winter.  It’s amazing to be able to do so much for so many people.  

So how can you help?

Firstly, we still need more storage space for all our food!  If you have metal shelving or racks you could donate please get in contact at office@abovebarchurch.org.uk

Secondly, donate.  People have been incredibly generous, but we still need more to serve our community.  If we can secure donations of £10,000 the yield could look more like £100,000 as we can get discounts.  Please visit www.lovesouthampton.org.uk/donate to give.

Thirdly, volunteer!  Come join the team to help serve your local community.  We are a Christian organisation, but not everyone involved is a Christian.  You just need to have a heart for those in need and our city and you can make a huge difference.  If you’re interested in volunteering with us, click the ‘I can help’ button at www.lovesouthampton.org.uk

There are so many disadvantaged people in Southampton, it’s frightening, and I couldn’t sleep if I thought that people were going without food. We need to help them. Thanks for all your support.