Soup Kitchen Open Day

Wellington’s Soup Kitchen is opening its doors to the public this Saturday, for all to see what goes on behind the mural-painted walls at132 Tory St.

The Soup Kitchen, with its distinctively painted exterior, has been located on Tory St for over a decade, and has had a presence in the Te Aro neighbourhood for over 100 years.

The bright and airy dining room at the Soup Kitchen serves up to100 people each night and up to 50 in the morning, and staff take great pride in serving healthy high-quality meals to all patrons. The ten staff working at the Soup Kitchen are supported by over 200 volunteers. Generous donations of food and services from the Wellington community allow the Soup Kitchen’s continued operation, even when times are tough.

‘We’re pleased to invite our neighbours and the wider Wellington community into our dining room to meet some of the people who eat here, work here and volunteer here,’ Centre Manager Philippa Meachen says.

‘We are mindful that despite the close proximity of inner-city residents to each other, local businesses, schools and other organisations, there are few chances for neighbourly connections to be made’, says Ms Meachen. ‘We can play a role in strengthening this inner city community.’

The Open Day features an exhibition of photographs of members of the Soup Kitchen Community, taken by photographer Antony Kitchener.

Ms Meachen says: ‘We’ve been lucky to work with Antony - his work is amazing and really captures the essence of the people who are part of the Soup Kitchen.’

Antony Kitchener worked with the Soup Kitchen community for six months to get the images. ‘People who come here can be very private’, Antony says. ‘It can take several visits, meeting with the same person to build trust and rapport. A couple of people have said that no-one has ever taken a photo of them before, and asked for copies for their families.’

Soup Kitchen Open Day
Saturday 24 March 10am – 4pm, 132 Tory St

ENDS

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