London: (By Hannah Chowdhry and Juliet Chowdhry) The ‘Meals for the Needy’ project by Help for Persecuted Christians trading as the British Asian Christian Association now caters to over 60 visitors on busy days.

In 2023, we successfully continued our meal program every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, including public holidays.

Throughout the year, we distributed essentials such as washing powder, clothing, toiletries, bags of sugar, and more, aiming to improve the quality of life for homeless individuals.

In January, British Asian Christian Associaton conducted 20 surveys among our regular visitors to gauge satisfaction, and we were delighted with the responses:

100% of respondents rated our service as excellent.

100% praised the quality of our provided meals.

100% expressed their intention to continue attending our Meals for the Needy project.

100% affirmed they would recommend our project to friends.

Feedback on our service included:

High praise for the quality of food.

Appreciation for the welcoming atmosphere.

Expressions of gratitude for the sense of community fostered.

Testimonies of spiritual enrichment and comfort.

Recognition of variety in meals provided.

Rediscovery of joy in festive occasions like Christmas and Easter.

Gratitude for offering Halal meals.

Thankfulness for the support provided.

We’ve noticed a rise in refugee visitors, particularly from Ukraine and Afghanistan, referred to us by organizations like the Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London (RAMFEL) and the Salvation Army, enriching the community diversity at our centre. Additionally, we’re serving an increasing number of young people, possibly due to financial strains on University students (click here).

We’re grateful for the overwhelming support from the local community, including businesses, schools, and individuals who generously donate food, clothing, toiletries, and other essentials. We also maintain partnerships with organizations like VIA (formerly Westminster Drug Project) for counseling and drug rehabilitation, and the NHS for health checks.  We also distribute our meals for free at Clementswood Community Centre, thanks to the Albayan Welfare Centre.

Hannah Chowdhry, project lead for Meals for the Needy, shared:

“After nearly five years of serving the homeless, we’ve become the go-to meals service for the Redbridge homeless community. Our partnerships with food providers like Greggs, Divine Retreat Centre, Shreeya’s Indian Bar and Restaurant, Kulcha Express, Beal High School, and others ensure quality meals three days a week, leaving no one hungry.

“We’ve also distributed essential supplies to over 50 individuals multiple times throughout the year. The vote of confidence from our visitors is heartening, and while matching 2023’s 100% satisfaction may be a challenge, we’re committed to striving for it in 2024.”