Wednesday, June 28, 2006

The Soup Kitchen and the Sharing Spirit

The phenomenon of soup kitchen is an innovative response to the problem of poverty and homelessness, in the Australian society today.

Clearly, things are not going well with those in need of immediate care, food, and shelter. In fact, the talk in the street is that there is a great deal of distress among the poor and the homeless, as the dreamtime winter shows its ugly face.

Consequently, soup kitchens are springing up in several locations to meet the needs of the disadvantage.

For example, the Adelaide Day Care Centre for the Homeless Persons operates mobile soup kitchens, 7 days per week, during the winter months. The organisation has become an extremely valuable resource for those in need, an embodiment of the humanitarian spirit at its best.

Elsewhere, under its Angel for a Day program, the Hutt Street Centre soup kitchen establishment provides breakfast, lunch, and morning and afternoon teas for over 200 homeless people in Adelaide City alone, according to The Advertiser newspaper report. But there is a growing demand for such services throughout the state.

Nor can we forget the significance of corporate response to the problem. At the time of writing, businesses (big and small) are playing their part; helping the homeless; and providing the resources for soup kitchens as the need arises.

A notable example is the humanitarian effort of the energy retailer, AGL, which has more than 30 soup kitchens nationally. Its work in this area has significantly helped to bring warmth and comfort to the poor.

The AGL works in partnership with Mission Australia to provide services to the disadvantaged groups in New South Wales and South Australia.

Thus, the soup kitchen, as an innovative response to poverty in Australian society, has attracted a significant support from businesses, families, schools, social groups, churches, and individuals throughout the land.

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