Scintilla CC take over One Third Soup Kitchen

By Emdad Rahman

"Anyone who has struggled with poverty knows how expensive it is to be poor" James Baldwin. 

It was rainy, dark and bleak. The town centre was bustling though. My team Scintilla Cricket Club had taken on the soup kitchen duties for tonight. Our club captain Ahmed, Tahmina and little Aliana had prepared massive pots of delectable and delicious bhuna kichuri with beef stew. The aroma from the boot of the car during the journey over had driven me crazy. I plotted to have a bit at some point before the shift was over. 

The guests were there waiting and they were ravenous. Before we'd even set up the stall we had a massive assembly build up. Usually our friends lend a helping hand carrying the table, water and food over, or they stay a short distance and patiently let us get it all together. Today was different. They were all really hungry, there was an urgency and came right up close, forming a large huddle around us. Onlookers and tourists stopped to see what was going on. 

We had two massive pots of food and it all flew off the shelf. We had to get extra drinks to keep up. The overall atmosphere was vivacious and a vivid. The team were buoyed and vibrant throughout. 'I hope you're all here again next week,' said Rosie to first team skipper Ayaz. 

Amanda told me how happy she was after being interviewed by Tom Parmenter last week for Sky News. Billy asked about joining the team. Paul was in a hurry and left with his food. In between serving I counted 57 guests served. 

Sport has the capacity to deliver amazing change and I'm bursting with pride that my team mates joined me on the soup kitchen tonight. 

At Scintilla Cricket Club it's a lot more than just sport and we all take our social responsibilities very seriously. The club are champions on and off the pitch and a fantastic example of good citizenship and community engagement. I hope this inspires other teams to do the same - That would be pretty awesome.

This was the teams first experience of serving homeless guests and they were like ducks to water. They chatted to guests, served them food and water and their general intermingling with the masses proved very popular. After all, let's not forget that for many of our homeless guests these positive vibes are often rare experiences for them. Many guests tell me that they look forward to the interaction just as much as the delicious food. We even recruited a new volunteer tonight - a young chap called Luke. 

I never did get to taste the lavish fare on offer tonight - Ashraful and second team skipper Riadh dished up the last serving to one final guest. 

If you'd like to help out please tweet me @emdad07

One Third filmed for Sky News

This week we had a special guest as Tom Parmenter from Sky News join us on the soup kitchen at Stratford City.

Apparently Owen Smith thinks he can eradicate homelessness within 5 years if he was to come into power. In my humble opinion these 5 minutes in the limelight career politicians should act more responsibly and stop making outlandish claims - especially at the expense of some of our most vulnerable fellow citizens.

Stevie was in floods of tears tonight. He kept saying, 'I'm so embarrassed. It took us a few minutes to calm him down as he had worked himself into a right state. Amanda gave an interview to Tom and Billy snapped the snapper (see pic).

There were plenty of new faces today - That is modern day London for you. Each one was a happy customer as the chicken and lentil soup with pitta bread went down a total treat.

We will be on Sky News tomorrow morning. If you'd like to help with a dish or join us on a shift then please get in touch with me on Twitter - @emdad07

One Third soup kitchen round off Ramadan

Emdad Rahman: The One Third soup kitchen team finished the last shift of Ramadan 2016 with a biriani belter at Stratford City. Tonight's team consisted of a mix of adults and kiddos all determined to serve their community. 

Homeless citizens are no different you any of us. It's not choice but circumstances which puts them in such dark places. I mean what sadist would go out intentionally to sleep rough or in a hostel? They deserve the same respect and dignity as any other fellow being. 

The kids were briefed on etiquette and each one was on top form, serving, smiling and chatting to our homeless guests. We had a Police officer join us for a bit whilst he was waiting to be picked up by his colleagues. With Germany playing Italy in the Euros the town centre was bustling and it made sense to have the visible presence of the boys and girls in blue amongst us. 

The delicious biriani was gone within the hour. Well the punters said it was delicious. We couldn't sample evens teeny morsel because everyone was fasting and there was none to take away. That's how good it was. 

The food was provided by my Chach Moklis and his family on behalf of their deceased father. He was a true soul and his legacy lives on amongst his children and grandchildren. I should know - my family have had the good fortune of three generations of mingling with these rascals.

Our regulars were there. Rosie took extras and the Eastern Europeans were very friendly with the kids. We did miss the bubbly Amanda tonight. Bully said he hadn't seen her for a while and we hope she's good. 

Thanks to Abdullah, Talha, Zainab, Ayesha, Amina, Hamza and Aunty Dil for the cracking support.

If you see a homeless person next time you're out then please buy them a bottle of water, or a coffee or a sandwich. Smile and talk to them for just one minute. You'll fill their day with sunshine. 

If you'd like to help me on a shift then you can message me on Twitter @emdad07

One Third Soup Kitchen bring in the kids

Tonight at Booth House I was joined by youth from the Splash Life Skills Project - Better known as Amzy's Angels. 




They were total stars the lot of them and straight after my briefing finished each took to their roles like ducks to water. 




'They're like Angels, they don't judge and I don't feel bad or embarrassed looking them in the eye when they give me food,' said Sharon, one of our homeless guests. 




She's right is our Shazza. Young people are easiest to work with - they're not prejudiced and rarely have hang ups. They get on with it. They don't stare. These kids chose to be here and it was really interesting to watch them. They were polite, full of beans, smiled and engaged in banter with ever homeless guest who graced us with their presence tonight. All I could do was tell them they were amazing and had done so much to break down barriers, misconceptions and stereotypes. 




Anyway, I met a Rangers and Celtic fan tonight. With me wearing the famous hoops it wasn't difficult I guess. We had a chat about the season ahead and how Rangers presence back in the top flight will liven things in the Scottish Premiership. 




The biriani was gone in no time and the youngsters served juice, soft drinks and cakes. We are all very grateful to Emma Coles for the delicious cup cakes. If I hadn't been fasting I would have caved in and devoured one pronto. 




Thank you Jamie, Tahmina, Shahel, Niyaz, Mahib, Sadi, Abid and Hamza for your fantastic help tonight. A special one is reserved for my compadre Amrana for arranging all the food. 




If you'd like to support us in person or by providing good for a shift then please get in touch - Twitter @emdad07

Ramadan 2016 with One Third Soup Kitchen

Emdad Rahman: It takes merely minutes to make a positive change I told wide eyed Inaya.

It's Ramadan 2016 and Kam and I had a new team with us today. We really enjoyed serving and mixing with our visiting guests. It was quick and effective.

In fact nowadays I advise volunteers on our soup kitchen to keep the engine running. Our guests are all ready and waiting. We set up, chat, catch up, serve, clean up and leave. It's a very quick system. The volunteers can then get back to their usual Saturday night after making a very positive difference to someone's day. It all fits well within the hustle and bustle of our modern day lives. The chicken biriani from Aysha and Ashraf was so popular it was gone within 35 minutes. Thanks to Farida for the introduction.

There is a mind-set that homeless citizens are somehow different to us. It's not at all easy accepting a plate of something from a complete stranger. They are in that position because some calamity or misfortune has befallen them. We at One Third don't judge - It could have been us receiving the hospitality. We want to use this level of outreach to help change perceptions about homelessness.

The only downside was a security guard. He was downright rude, offensive and aggressive. He made us move our table. I explained that we would be done in 30 minutes and pointed out that the roof above our heads provides shelter from the elements. I won't go into details because I don't want to give this waste of space any publicity. (I may write about this separately). I did however point out that he is nowhere to be seen when smokers and rowdy drinkers block the entrance, and when visitors feel threatened by the presence of aggressive pockets of people congregating at the entrance. But... Priorities are priorities for them I guess and these soup kitchen volunteers are a real bunch of hellraisers. He's always rude is that one - I don't know - maybe he needs a plate of the good stuff. Maybe I'll offer the 'big man' one next time.

Former First Citizen joins One Third Soup Soup Kitchen

"We rise by lifting others"

My team mate Rahel had arranged Chicken Biriani, which I collected from All Seasons in Mile end. 

This was my first soup kitchen where my own kids joined me. Two of my boys helped me collect the food, set up the table, put up the banner, serve and take pics. I was very pleased with their presence and this served many purposes. 

Firstly, it got them out of the house, away from their damned consoles. 

Secondly, they proved they had the ability to carry out tasks independently. 

Thirdly, the interaction with vulnerable and needy fellow humans was educational and uplifting. You can't ever buy such a life experience. 

Fourthly, they met a real celebrity. We were fortunate to be joined by Mizanur Chaudhury, Tower Hamlets youngest ever Mayor and the borough's first official speaker. His presence alone was another lesson for the kids. They were inspired that an individual of such standing had the time and the inclination to roll up his sleeves and help serve homeless guests. Mizan lives around the corner, and just like myself, he knew most of the vulnerable people we served at the soup kitchen. 

And that brings me to my conclusion. Volunteering isn't just about benefitting others. The benefits one gains personally are far greater. 

If you'd like to help me at Westfield, Stratford or Booth House, Whitechapel then Tweet me - @emdad07