With increasing homelessness in the UK, charities such as Food For Life' are becoming more relevant, coming forward to feed the rough sleepers across the country's capital. The number of people officially recorded as homeless and sleeping on the streets of England rose from 1,768 in 2010 to 4,751 in 2017, but charities estimate the true figure has been more than double. There has also been an increase in homeless families housed by local authorities in temporary accommodation, rising from 50,000 in 2010 to 78,000 in 2017. And in London alone there are an estimated 225,000 “hidden homeless” people aged 16-25 – arranging their own temporary accommodation with friends or family (see Story 'Home-less or Homeless?' AV 12 January 2019 p1)
‘Food For Life’ – is a project which has been feeding the homeless for over 20 years in London. They are currently appealing for £15,000 to start a a new catering van for the disadvantaged. This London-based activity is part of the ‘Hare Krishna Food for Life’ project – the world's largest vegetarian non-profit food relief organisation, providing over 2 million free meals daily globally.
People are served a sumptuous blend of rice, lentils and vegetables, accompanied with mouth-watering cake, salad and a hot drink. The volunteers distribute the meals with a smile and greet receivers with the phrase ‘Hare Krishna’ – representing unconditional love and service.
Currently feeding the homeless is run solely by the help of volunteers and a humble handy van. However, with the van coming to the end of its life, the meals on wheels are sadly at risk.
A spokesperson told Asian Voice, “Your support will mean that hungry Londoners will get a free nutritious meal every evening six days a week, approximately 30,000 hot meals a year will continue to get served and the amazing volunteers who take out time after work will get to help smoothly with a well working new van.”
The Food for Life project was initially inspired by the founder of the Hare Krishna movement, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. In 1974 when watching a group of village children fighting with dogs over scraps of food, the Swami became upset and told his students, "No one within ten miles of a temple should go hungry... I want you to immediately begin serving food."
To support visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tina-savani
