NEWCASTLE KITCHEN DIARY

29th May 2011

 

We saw Lenny on the main road as we drove into the car park but he didn’t come for any food as he doesn’t like crowds and possibly saw all those waiting. We haven’t seen him for a while so it was good to see him looking well. Hopefully he will come and talk to us at a future kitchen.

 

Myra was not at the kitchen this week but Jim had seen her during the week and she was doing ok. We will keep the clothes and sleeping bag we were given for her and hopefully she will be there next week.

 

Dillon was at the kitchen again and looks like he is becoming a regular. He was less drunk this week but can be a handful.

 

Jason first came to the kitchen 8 years ago. He managed to turn his life around and got a job and settled down and had 3 children with his partner. Last weekend she kicked him out and he has tried to commit suicide twice in the past week. He has a place in the salvation army but is at a very low point. He came to have a chat so it is good that he remembered we would be there to offer whatever support we could.

 

Trustees:         Carl, Sheila,

Volunteers:      Phil, Norma, Tony

Visitors:           Jim, Djdusey, Janet, Sonny, George, Richard, Wendy

Attendance:     75

 

This was another very busy kitchen and the high numbers appear to becoming the norm. It is evident that many of the new faces are younger people who are on the streets, sofa-hopping, or in hostels. Many have alcohol and drug addiction problems.

 

It was great to have the new van this week which gave us more room to take clothes etc up and gave us more room to store things as we served. One of the boiler's taps has broken with the amount of use and will need to be replaced.

Ali was back again this week. She was very cheerful and gave a fashion show with some of the clothes we had taken up. Some had given swim wear which she paraded in. Carl took a photo for her as she wanted us to see that we have a fun time on a Sunday night amidst the seriousness of their individual situations.

 

As always your prayers for the work in general are greatly appreciated.

 

Sheila Heron