Soup Kitchen's Silver Anniversary, 12th December
6th December 2023
SOUP KITCHEN’S SILVER ANNIVERSARY!
TUESDAY DECEMBER 12th 2023, The Royal Square, 10.30 am to 2pm
Soup is on the menu once again as an island homeless charity organises its annual Soup Kitchen 25 years after the idea was first formed. Chicken,lobster with sweetcorn; cauliflower curry with coconut; cream of winter cajun chicken; just a few of the soup flavours due to be served on 12th December to raise money for the Shelter Trust. The event, an idea first formed by Shelter supporter Michelle Cuthbert, has to date raised more than £220,000 for the Trust. It has grown and grown since its launch 25 years ago and is a much-needed fundraising event for the charity which supports on average 600 people a year.
After hearing a BBC Jersey radio interview with the Trust’s director John Hodge, Michelle formed the idea of a soup kitchen with a difference. On Tuesday 7th December 1999 five soups donated by top hotels were served from a small stall in the Royal Square to members of the public in return for a donation.. The first event not only increased awareness of homelessness but also raised £1300 for the Trust. Last year 35 soups were served and raised £18,600.
The Silver Anniversary Soup Kitchen will take place in the Royal Square as usual on Tuesday 12th December. Thanks to sponsorship for the 8th successive year by LGT Wealth Management plus the soups, bread, butter and equipment donated by our many supporters, the event’s expenses are fully covered, and all money raised will go to support Jersey’s homeless community. We ask for a minimum donation of £3 (by cash or card) in exchange for a mug of soup and bread. There will be 37 different flavour soups.
Dr Kyd, wife of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, has accepted an invitation to help serve the soup donated by Government House. In celebration of the Silver Anniversary Dr Kyd will officially open the Soup Kitchen at 10.30 am by cutting a silver ribbon jointly with H.S.H. Adelheid Coudenhove-Kalergi, a Non-Executive Director of LGT Wealth Management’s Governing Board and The Honorary Consul for The Principality of Liechtenstein.
There will be festive music and carol singing by school and island choirs helping to make this a very special Silver Anniversary and it is hoped that the funds raised will take the 25 year total from Soup Kitchen to a quarter of a million pounds!
Michelle Cuthbert said “When I look back at the birth of the Soup Kitchen in 1999, with 5 soups on a table in the Royal Square, never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that it would grow so quickly and raise as much money and awareness of the homeless as it has.”
Dan McAlister, CEO of LGT Wealth Management said “with great pride we continue our involvement in this event, an integral fixture in the island’s annual calendar. Our continued support symbolizes our dedication to community-centric initiatives. We extend our congratulations to The Shelter Trust for their commendable efforts in aiding the homeless.”
For further information, please contact Richard Robins on 07797716235 or e-mail: rs_robins@yahoo.co.uk
Facebook: Jersey Shelter Trust Fund Raising
Twitter: @soupkitchenjer