In it’s 30th year of helping Newcastle’s less fortunate and vulnerable people, one of Newcastle’s most historical and traditional figureheads has dug deep to help The People’s Kitchen.
Councillor George Pattison, the outgoing Lord Mayor of Newcastle has donated £2600 to help the charity to continue providing food and friendship to the city’s homeless people.
The well-received donation was part of a grand total of almost £9000 raised as part of Councillor Pattison’s year in office. The other beneficiaries were The British Legion and the Newcastle United Foundation.
Around 140 meals are issued each night that The People’s Kitchen is open. This equates to around 37,000 meals per year or just over a million acts of kindness in the past 30 years.
A team of volunteers like George prepares freshly cooked meals between 2pm and 6pm and these are served between 6.30pm and 8.30pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. On Monday’s and Thursdays, late night supper is served from the Kitchen’s mobile catering van on the streets of Newcastle.
The People’s Kitchen has a special place in George’s heart as for the past two years he has been a volunteer helper doing tasks such as washing dishes and preparing and serving food for those in need.
“The People’s Kitchen is in my opinion, every bit a part of the tradition and history of the City of Newcastle as the roles within the council. We’re there to help people and it was my pleasure to nominate The People’s Kitchen as the Lord Mayor’s Charity for 2015.
“I’ve loved my year in office and I’m looking forward to spending more time volunteering at the Kitchen now my diary is a bit quieter, “he said.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering can see the latest vacancies at http://www.peopleskitchen.co.uk/current-roles/