A volunteer-led food relief project in Erskineville is providing free meals, donated goods, and social connection through a community initiative run from a local café.
Background and Context
Launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Soup of Human Kindness was established as a food relief program operating out of Parliament on King, a café in Erskineville. Created to meet urgent needs during lockdowns, the initiative has since delivered a large number of meals to people in the local area, particularly those experiencing homelessness or financial hardship.
The program is sustained through revenue generated by a social enterprise catering arm of the café and support from a City of Sydney food support grant. It continues to operate weekly, with the café open to the public on weekends.
Refugee-Cooked Meals and Community Involvement
Meals are prepared in the café’s commercial kitchen by chefs who are asylum seekers and refugees. These meals are based on traditional family recipes from their countries of origin and are provided in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. During warmer months, the menu shifts from soups to noodle or rice-based meals.
The meals made for the café’s social enterprise catering service are also distributed to individuals and families in need at no cost.
Volunteer Roles and Public Engagement
Each Saturday evening, volunteers gather to portion and pack meals, organise donated items, and deliver food and essentials to locations including Surry Hills and Darlinghurst. Roles include drivers, packers, and food servers, and participants come from various backgrounds and professions across Sydney.
In addition to meals, volunteers sort and distribute donated items such as clothing, toiletries, books, and other essentials. Donations can be dropped off at 632 King Street, Erskineville, on Saturdays and Sundays between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Items donated on Saturdays are distributed that same evening.
Community Sentiment and Contribution
Volunteers, both new and long-term, report a strong personal connection to the project. Some participants originally sought help from the program and now return as volunteers. These interactions help build community connection while also identifying specific needs such as bedding, hygiene products, and warm clothing.
The initiative provides a space where people from different walks of life contribute equally, regardless of their current circumstances.
Funding Support and Ongoing Aid
The Soup of Human Kindness receives financial support from the City of Sydney’s food support grant. Applications for this grant are currently open and will close at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, 12 August 2025. Funded projects will run from 1 January to 31 December 2026.
Funding priorities include improving access to affordable, safe, and culturally-appropriate food, as well as strengthening community capacity for food distribution and storage. Organisations and individuals are encouraged to apply, particularly those working with diverse and Aboriginal communities.
Published 21-July-2025
