Warm up with soup to support Hutt St Centre and Catherine House

More people than ever have been seeking support from Hutt St Centre and Catherine House this winter, with the cost of living, lack of affordable housing and interest rate rises creating a perfect storm when it comes to being at risk of homelessness.

East End Cellars has again put its hand up to raise funds for Hutt St Centre and Catherine House, by running its fifth annual Winter Soup Kitchen from today, working with prominent Adelaide chefs and business identities to cook hearty soups and serve them to the public.

For the next six Thursdays, the state’s most prominent chefs will come together at East End Cellars to cook soup for lunch (or until sold out) and business identities will serve the public as waiters and kitchen hands, having a bit of fun while they’re at it to support a higher cause – to end homelessness.

East End Cellars co-owner Margie Andrewartha came up with the concept five years ago after driving through the city with her daughter on a winter’s night and seeing women and their young families lining up for food at a soup van. She has worked with chef Simon Bryant on the concept since.

“Times are especially tough at the moment and we know more people are struggling to keep a roof over their heads. Whether it’s being unable to pay rent, battling the cost of living or fleeing domestic and family violence or a relationship breakdown,” Ms Andrewartha said.

“Hutt St Centre is seeing more people walk through its doors and Catherine House is experiencing record numbers of women seeking urgent accommodation support.

“We’re in a fortunate position where we have hospitality skills that we can use to raise awareness of the struggles they’re facing, and we can give back to the community with the support of business leaders and those who are looking for a hearty winter feed at lunch.”

This winter, Hutt St Centre will support an average of 150 people at risk of or experiencing homelessness each day. In particular, the number of women seeking support has grown by 24 per cent since last winter.

The team at Hutt St Centre walks alongside people on their journey to homefulness – a word used to describe the feeling of safety, control and confidence that comes with having a place you want to call home. Through services like healthy meals, hot showers, laundry and locker facilities, health check-ups, and connection with support to explore housing, work and study opportunities, Hutt St Centre empowers people to rebuild their lives and change their circumstances for good.

Catherine House provides crisis, longer term accommodation and support services for women experiencing homelessness and is the only service providing this support in South Australia. Catherine House supports women with the immediate issues created by homelessness and supports every woman in planning a future that helps her sustain stable housing and builds a life that is meaningful and purposeful for her. Catherine House offers a holistic and recovery-based approach including pathways to education and employment.

How donations can help Hutt St Centre and Catherine House:

• $21 can provide breakfast, lunch and professional advice in a safe, welcoming place at Hutt St Centre
• $25 allows a Catherine House client to receive a gift card to support any immediate needs she may have
• $50 provides a Welcome Pack for a woman arriving at Catherine House
• $97 can provide essential health and wellbeing support for a person sleeping rough like a hot shower, laundry and locker facilities, and health check-ups at Hutt St Centre
• $152 provides a night of safe and secure accommodation for a woman experiencing homelessness at Catherine House.

Each week celebrity chefs will donate their time to prepare signature soups, including executive chef and former Tasting Australia curator Simon Bryant, Africola’s Duncan Welgemoed, Hentley Farm’s Clare Falzon, Magill Estate’s Jamie Laing, Chianti’s Josh Cooke backed by the wonderful Maria Favaro and Fino’s David Swain and effervescent Sharon Romeo.

Business identities who assist on the day as waiters and kitchen hands, will include Sarah Constructions directors James and Tim Sarah, Commercial & General CEO Jamie McClurg, Social Policy’s Matt Clemow, Turner Real Estate’s Lachlan Turner and VAILO founder Aaron Hickmann.

The Detmold Group has donated takeaway bowls, cutlery and packaging for soups sold on the day. Adelaide’s Finest Supermarkets has also donated produce for the chefs to make their unique soups.

There will also be a silent auction of top South Australian wines, and the proceeds of Coopers beer sold at East End Cellars during each Soup Kitchen will go towards Hutt St Centre and Catherine House.

Pictured: Ali Clarke of Mix1023, Chef Simon Bryant, and Chris Burns of Hutt Street Centre.