The Soup Kitchen, a charity that provides critical support to vulnerable people in London, has created an emotive photography series called ‘Homeless Christmas Dinners’. 10 beautiful but solemn and harrowing still-life photos show the make-shift meals homeless people have to eat at Christmas time.

The photography serves as a marked reminder that the sumptuous Christmas dinners advertised aren’t a reality for the hundreds of thousands of homeless people in the UK. The imagery has been captured to raise awareness and donations for the Soup Kitchen, a London-based charity dedicated to supporting people in need.

Meals that have been photographed include Kamag’s (42), who had a Christmas dinner consisting of ketchup pasta that was cooked in a hostel from long-life food donations. Paul (56), spent Christmas Day lying in hospital with a punctured lung, due to street violence, and could only eat ice cream. Wassa, (56) had a tin of baked beans that he ate cold with a supermarket wooden fork.

To vulnerable people across the UK, Christmas doesn’t mean a home cooked meal or a big roast with family. It’s often spent alone, eating what can be found or what’s been donated. The festive period might be a time of joy for many, but it is also a time where the struggles of homelessness become even more difficult.

That’s why the Soup Kitchen’s Christmas meal event, taking place on Saturday December 16th, is so important. Meals are provided for over 300 vulnerable people in London, along with presents and entertainment. This will be the closest many people come to having a proper Christmas dinner. A donation of just £5 will give one person a seat at the table.

The ‘Homeless Christmas Dinners’ series is hosted on the Soup Kitchen’s website where people can view the collection, find out more the issues facing thousands of people this year and donate to support vulnerable people in London.

The Soup Kitchen does incredible work for the London community. Beyond feeding hundreds of people every week with healthy and nutritious food, the charity also provides mental health support, clothing and personalised help for the homeless, elderly, lonely and vulnerable people throughout London.

Alex Brown, Director of the Soup Kitchen, said, “Christmas is an especially difficult time of year for those in society that are less fortunate. Our commitment at the Soup Kitchen is centered around aiding those with the greatest need. We believe that every person, regardless of their circumstances, deserves a nourishing meal every day of the year and this sentiment is especially crucial during the festive period.’

The photos demonstrate that not everyone has the luxury of the classic Christmas roast and put the realities of homelessness and those in vulnerable positions in clear contrast to what we commonly associate with Christmas. We hope they will inspire people to do what they can to support those in need this year.”

To view the ‘Homeless Christmas Dinners’ photo series please visit: https://homelesschristmasdinners.com/
To find out more about the work the Soup Kitchen’s does, and how you can volunteer, donate or get involved, visit the website: https://soupkitchenlondon.org/