There are many ways to give

The easiest way at the moment is to visit our Amazon Wish List which we keep this list fresh with the items we need.

Similar to clothing donations, we ask that all sleeping bags be washed, dried and aired prior to donation. We respectfully request they should be of a nearly new condition without holes, rips or tears.

We can accept brand new, but unfortunately we are not able to accept previously used duvets for personal hygiene reasons.

If you do not think your old clothing will suit our needs, then there are a number of recycle facilities for fabrics and clothing around Newbury. Tesco at Pinchington Lane near the retail park as a clothing collection point and also the West Berkshire Recycling Centre on Newtown Road are two examples.

If dropping off to the Recycling Centre, please do not forget your entry permit.

We can typically accept most items of clothing, though we ask that you contact us first as sometimes we have excess stocks of some garments. We ask that all items of clothing be washed, dried and aired prior to donation. We respectfully request that clothing should be of a nearly new condition without holes, rips or tears. Similarly we request that donated items come from a smoke free and pet free household.

We are not able to accept underwear for personal hygiene reasons.

Our homeless and rough sleepers do take away food from us at the end of each session. Plastic potted foods like Pot Noodles, Quaker Oat So Simple Pots or Mugshot Pasta and Noodle flavours are easy to be transported and eaten with simple boiled water.

This can be tricky and a difficult one to answer. We have a strong supply chains in situ from the local supermarkets, bakeries and cafes which provide ready made and raw ingredients. As we are only open on a Thursday evening, we plan our meal menu from the supermarket supplies. Adhoc provision of unused food from catering companies can be difficult logistically. Our friends at Loose Ends are open five days a week. Perhaps they would be interested?

We receive a fantastic source of food donations from local suppliers such as supermarkets and bakeries. We are also able to source ingredients from the Foodbank. Sometimes the generosity of the public is so overwhelming that we end up donating some food back to the Foodbank. We recommend that if you have any unwanted packet or tinned food, then you please contact the Foodbank in the first instance.

We are afraid we cannot accept such donations of homemade food. We have to adhere to strict protocols to maintain our Food Hygiene Rating and we insist that anybody who cooks for us has the Food Hygiene Level 2 qualification too. Allowing outside or third party cooking could render us in breach of these protocols.

Absolutely yes. Unfortunately we are unable to allow people under the age of 18 into the Soup Kitchen during opening hours. We would welcome you to come along during our session setup, anytime between 4:30pm and 5:30pm. 

We will be happy to explain to the youngsters what the Soup Kitchen is all about and how they can help. All we ask is that you contact us to make an appointment in the first instance so we can allocate you some time.

There is normally a group of volunteers at the Salvation Army Hall from 4:30pm each Thursday setting up. You are more than welcome to drop them off between these times. Please do not come during the open session as it is quite busy and we cannot always dedicate the time to speak with our benefactors.

Employment Plus is also located at the Salvation Army Hall  and is open Thursdays between 2pm and 4:30pm. Employment Plus are happy to accept donations for us within their opening hours.

We also have collection points at the Co-op in Brummell Road Speen, Harpers Garage in Hungerford and Charmaine’s Hair and Beauty on Hambridge Road. Small items can always be dropped off at these points.

The Newbury Soup Kitchen is open to serve food between the hours of 6pm and 8pm each and every Thursday evening. However, there is normally a group of volunteers at the Salvation Army Hall from 4:30pm each Thursday setting up. You are welcome between 4:30pm and 5:30pm to drop off any donations. May we please ask that visits from the public are by appointment only anytime thereafter. 

We normally have some 15 to 20 volunteers and between 45 and 55 clients during our weekly sessions. This obviously can be very busy for us. We respectfully ask that you make an appointment if you wish to visit us within our opening hours. You are welcome between 16.30pm and 17.30pm to drop off donations.