Millions of people in this world can't afford to buy a sandwich or even a juice box, so they go hungry every day. January happens to be National Soup Month, and there's no better way to celebrate chicken noodle soup than to serve it up to the homeless.
It All Began During the Great Depression
A soup kitchen is a place where poor, homeless, and other disadvantaged people in the community can come eat a hot meal for free. Notorious gangster Al Capone was the first person to open a soup kitchen cuz he wanted to clean up his bad boy image. During the Great Depression of the '30s, lots of people had nowhere to go and nothing to eat cuz they had lost their jobs. In order to feed everyone, Capone's soup kitchen served three free meals a day.Why Soup?
Soup is economical cuz it can be stretched to feed more people by adding more water. Plus, it's easy to cook, easy to serve and easy to clean up! Bread has also been used to feed hungry families during the worst of times.For the Soul (and the Tummy!)
These days, charities and church groups run soup kitchens. Volunteers pick up donated food, prepare meals and serve it to people waiting in line. But soup kitchens aren't just about nourishing meals. They also offer food for the spirit, so people can talk and enjoy each other's company.Get Involved
If you're not sure how to find a soup kitchen near your home, search online or ask someone at your school, church or community center. Better yet, make it a family affair by getting your friends and family involved too!Related Stories:
Related Articles
