Oswestry Liberal Democrats

LOCAL MP ATTENDS SALVATION ARMY SERVICE USERS' 'SOUP KITCHEN'

New Covent Garden Food Co. & The Salvation Army launch charity Fundraiser with the support of Westminster

Yesterday saw formerly homeless Service Users from The Salvation Army's Hostel Plus+ Centres host a 'soup kitchen' for MPs and Peers at Westminster. The MPs and Peers braved the rain to show their support for Soup Kitchen Challenge Day, a brand new and exciting date in the charity fundraising calendar created by New Covent Garden Food Company, which asks people to host a soup lunch for their family, friends and work colleagues in return for a small or (large!) donation towards The Salvation Army.

Lembit Öpik, Liberal Democrat MP for Montgomeryshire, attended the event at Westminster's Victoria Gardens, Milbank, which served as the official launch for the fundraising partnership between New Covent Garden Food Company and The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army works hard to end the isolation felt by those living on the streets - sharing simple but nutritious food is often the start of a conversation with someone sleeping rough on the streets or using community welfare services. Hostel Plus+ centres also encourage service users to cook and increase their understanding of the importance of fresh food and a healthy diet. In turn, these activities build self-esteem, encourage positive relationships, and a sense of purpose.

Relationship breakdown and a lack of purpose are the biggest causes for homelessness, and the Salvation Army offers practical, social and spiritual support for homeless people to realise their potential and recover their personal dignity.

Commenting on the campaign, Lembit said:

"The Salvation Army is a fantastic organisation which embodies all that is best in the human spirit. At all times, but particularly at Christmas those of us who are fortunate to have food and shelter and more besides have a responsibility to think about people who, for whatever reason, haven't got that physical or material security or the peace of mind that it brings."

"I hope millions of people around the country will eat soup and salute an Army which is really making a difference. There aren't many votes in homelessness but there are an awful lot of hopes with organisations such as The Salvation Army."

Ends/diwedd

For further information please contact:

Fay, Amira or Georgie at 360º Communications

Tº 020 7580 8360 Fº 020 7580 7360

EºNewCoventGarden@360team.co.uk

Notes:

Please find attached a photo of Lembit at the launch yesterday.

New Covent Garden Food Co.'s 'Soup Kitchen Challenge' is an official fundraising drive created to help raise money for The Salvation Army. Anyone can take up the challenge by visiting www.newcoventgarden.com/salvationarmy/ where they'll find lots of tasty soup recipes and tips and advice on the type of fundraising events to host.

New Covent Garden Food Co. are working with The Salvation Army to help vulnerable and homeless people get back on their feet by creating their December Soup of the Month - Chicken, Vegetable and Pearl Barley in support of the charity and the work of its nationwide Salvation Army centres or 'hostels'.

The Salvation Army is one of the largest providers of support and accommodation for homeless men, women and families across the UK and the Republic or Ireland, with close to 60 Salvation Army centres, which offer a hand up and not a hand out through practical support and the provision of life-changing skills to help people back on their feet.

More than just providing a roof over someone's head The Salvation Army's centres or 'hostels' aim to be places of change delivering people-focused and life changing services that dramatically boost the self-esteem, health and employability of participants to enable them ultimately to move into a place of their own or supported housing project.

For further information on TSA please contact:

Ann C. Stewart, senior press officer, The Salvation Army, Tel: 020 7367 4702, Mobile: 07801 198 439, E-mail: ann.c.stewart@salvationarmy.org.uk

The Salvation Army is a worldwide Christian church and registered charity, working in 118 countries, and is one of the largest and most diverse providers of social welfare in the UK and Republic of Ireland. More then 800 Salvation Army social service centres and community churches offer unconditional friendship, support and very practical help to people of all ages, backgrounds and needs. Services include a nationwide network of social service centres (Hostel Plus+ centres) that offer safe temporary accommodation for men, women and families in the UK and Republic of Ireland who would otherwise be homeless. More than just providing a roof over someone's head these centres aim to be places of change by delivering people-focused and life-changing services to boost the self-esteem, health and employability of participants, to enable them to ultimately move into place of their own or supported housing project.

The Salvation Army Registered Charity Nos 214779, 215174, in Scotland SC009359, SC037691, and in Ireland CHY6399

For more information on The Salvation Army and its welfare work please visit www.salvationarmy.org.uk