Meryl Praill conceived the idea for Newbury Soup Kitchen while volunteering at the local Foodbank and spotting a gap in food provision on Thursdays and Saturdays. With the support of The Salvation Army who gave the use of their hall, she began planning to launch the service for a Thursday evening.

The Soup Kitchen opened its doors on a Thursday evening, serving hot meals at the Salvation Army Hall in Newbury. Within weeks, attendance grew from 11 to 40 people.

New logo: Later in the year, a new logo was created by one of the clients—a meaningful touch of community identity.

November: Meryl started the Saturday session from the back of her car to fill the other gap in the week in The Wharf Carpark

July  Registered formally as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with the Charity Commission under number 1179298. With six Trustees and a small support team.

May:    SWIFT Logistics Group donated a Transit van which gave flexibility for the Saturday food session and gave Meryl the opportunity to stop using her car for all the charity requirements

June:    Amanda the Community Health Outreach Team joined to support at our new outreach sessions

March   Transitioned to a mobile service and delivery model. Delivered and cooked 5,500 meals during the first lockdown to people placed in Emergency Accommodation under ‘The Everyone in’ directive, working seven days a week. This continued until September 2020.

April    SWIFT Logistics Group offered a unit for operations in Hambridge Lane. Fundraising for a new commercial kitchen and set up of the unit during last half of 2020.

September Post-lockdown, resumed takeaway services outside only from our transit on a Saturday. Continued Thursday sessions outside Salvation Army Hall with gazebos and tables.

November     Started a third food session on a Wednesday evening in The Wharf Carpark from our Transit van to fulfil long gaps between available free meals in the community. Further enhancing the support Newbury Soup Kitchen provides in the community.

March    Purchase a Mecedes Sprinter to convert into a specific vehicle for the food outreach and takeaway sessions in The Wharf.

April    Will Young becomes our Patron

July      Will Young and Meryl CEO and Founder formally opened the unit in Hambridge Lane with a wonderful afternoon outside due to continuing COVID rules.

February      Newbury Soup Kitchen employs first Outreach worker to support Meryl

April           Newbury Soup Dragon Breakfast Club commences signing up 8 companies.

November    We have to buy a new transit to replace our donated one.

June      Newbury Soup Kitchen employs an operations manager 4 days a week and Outreach worker 20 hours a week

March   Move our Tuesday outreach sessions from Salvation Army Hall to St john’s Church Hall with more space and flexibility.

June    Employ a new outreach worker specifically for women under a year’s contract with funding from The National Lottery

June 14^th The Kings Birthday Honors List. Meryl our CEO and Founder is awarded an MBE for her services to the Newbury and West Berkshire Community

October 28^th Meryl goes to Windsor Castle to receive her MBE