Harehills ❤️ Love

First of all, welcome to the final advent calendar post of the year, and happy holidays, (or Christmas if you prefer), we’ve made it to Christmas Eve.

On Thursday 21st December, the FoodCycle event in Harehills had it’s third Christmas meal.

It was a busy night, as people flocked to some lovely hot food on a chilly and windy December night. There were people from all walks of life, and plenty from beyond Harehills.

Our local MP, Richard Burgon, was there again, (he comes each Christmas, kind of like Santa, but sporting a fetching Brudenell Social Club Christmas jumper – which I didn’t know was a thing, but now I want one!), Richard was volunteering, so getting drinks and bringing out food for people, and stopping to chat, catch up and hear about people’s problems and signpost them to help.

The meal itself was a three course extravaganza. Starting off with cauliflower soup. I’ve never had cauliflower soup before, never occurred to me that it could be so nice, (I may have had seconds it was that good).

The main course was a good old fashioned Christmas roast with all the trimmings, roast potatoes, mixed greens, gravy, the works. The protein was a vegetarian turkey substitute – I’m guessing soy or Quorn, as all meals here are vegetarian, (though not vegan), but it tasted great to me.

For dessert there was the option of chocolate roll with cream, or sticky toffee pudding.

It was great meeting new people, and old faces – I was sat with one gentleman I’ve met a few times, we had some passionate debates about the state of the world, and also with another man who had just returned to live in Harehills after years away, and is looking for volunteering opportunities.

I had a great time, and I want to thank all the volunteers for pulling together a very tasty meal, and providing such a warm and welcoming event.

What is FoodCycle?

FoodCycle is a UK-based charity that tackles food poverty and social isolation through the power of shared meals. Here’s a breakdown of its key aspects:

What they do:

• Community Meals: They run weekly community dining services where they serve three-course, nutritious meals to people at risk of food poverty and social isolation.
• Food Rescue: They work with supermarkets, grocery shops, and markets to source perfectly edible surplus food that would otherwise be wasted.
• Volunteer Network: They rely on a network of dedicated volunteers to collect, prepare, and serve the meals, creating a welcoming and friendly environment for guests.

How are they different?

• Comforts, not handouts: FoodCycle focuses on providing a dignified dining experience, not just a food parcel. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, encouraging social interaction and community building.
• Sustainability: By rescuing surplus food, they reduce food waste and promote sustainable food practices.
• Volunteer-powered: The organization relies heavily on volunteers, creating a sense of collective effort and community involvement.
• Where to find them:

Where to find them:

FoodCycle operates throughout the UK in various locations. You can find their website here: https://foodcycle.org.uk/

There are currently three weekly events taking place in Leeds:

• Tuesday’s at the Old Seacroft Chapel, York Road, Seacroft 6:30pm
• Wednesday’s at St Luke’s Church on Malvern Road, Holbeck, from 6:30pm
• Thursday’s at St Aidan’s Church, Roundhay Road, Harehills, 6:30pm

If you’re interested in volunteering or attending a community meal, you can browse their locations and schedules on their website.

In summary, FoodCycle is a unique charity that goes beyond simply providing food. They aim to address both food poverty and social isolation by creating a space for community, warmth, and delicious meals.