Somerfield junior youth service project: baking for the homeless

Our junior youth group consulted and decided they wanted to bake for the homeless. An animator and supporting adult then set about to research a local volunteer group. They went along to see this organisation who regularly provide free hot lunches to approximately 150 people who are homeless or poor. This voluntary project has been running for 11 years, started by one family feeding homeless people in Latimer Square each Sunday. We asked our Somerfield neighbours to assist with the project through providing kitchens and ovens for baking.

On Sunday, 17 June, baking of multiple batches of cookies occurred in two groups across two households. Three neighbouring households helped with providing their ovens to bake the cookies in time for the event. Parents helped with transport from our neighbourhood into Latimer Square in the central city.  Junior youth and youth then handed out their bagged cookies to those in need who were lined up to receive a meal.

The junior youth were struck by the sense of gratitude and dignity that the recipients had.  Feedback from the neighbours and parents involved in supporting the junior youth included the following remarks:

“These kids really restore one’s faith in humanity. You must be very proud of them. Thank you for asking me to help out. If there’s anything else I can do to help out again, just ask.”                - Neighbour

“It was fun. Lovely group of people. It was a great thing for the youth to do. They would have got a lot out of it. Glad we could help out.”                                                                                     - Supporting parent of a junior youth