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Love Soup has received a substantial grant, that its founder and director Julie King says will allow the charity to better promote itself, raising awareness so it can help even more people.
“Charitable organisations can struggle with the small things so this wonderful prize will enable us to reach more people who need our help,” Julie says.
Not only did the charity win the Canon community award category, but it was also the overall winner of the Canon Oceania Grants, winning $15,000 in total. The win was decided by public vote.
The first Love Soup free meal was served up at Whangaparāoa Community Hall in 2016, but Julie started her charity food rescue service in Tokoroa three years earlier. Its reach has since extended to Rotorua and Whangarei.
The aim was to alleviate hunger, and food waste – “Love Soup is about feeding people and not landfill,” Julie says.
Love Soup collects surplus food, from partners such as Countdown, and re-distributes it to frontline organisations like foodbanks, schools, and community kitchens so they can feed those in need.
Last year alone, Love Soup rescued over 500,000 kilos of food. It also provides free community meals.
