Watch the full interview with our friend and trustee Andi Oliver. Andi and our co-founder, Steve, talk about her time spent in Calais with RCK, and what it means to her serving nutritious food to people in need.
Happy New Year from RCK!
Reflecting on a Year of Gratitude and Solidarity
As the year comes to a close and 2024 begins, RCK want to take a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to each and every supporter who has been a part of our journey. Your unwavering commitment, whether through donations, volunteered time, or shared experiences, has fueled our mission and touched the lives of those we serve.
In the spirit of the season, we extend hope for safety and solidarity to the displaced individuals in Calais and across the globe. May the coming year bring brighter days, compassion, and a shared commitment to making the world a better place for all.
Thank you for being a beacon of hope and kindness. Here's to a new year filled with empathy, understanding, and positive change.
With love,
Refugee Community Kitchen
Gratitude
For every penny donated, every minute of time volunteered, every experience shared, we’re so grateful to you all, From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
With love, RCK
Honouring International Migrants Day: A Reflection from Refugee Community Kitchen
Image by @abdul_saboor079
On this significant day, we pause to acknowledge and honour the resilience, courage, and strength of migrants around the world. International Migrants Day serves as a poignant reminder of the countless individuals who embark on challenging journeys in search of safety, hope, and a brighter future.
At Refugee Community Kitchen, we stand in solidarity with migrants. Today, we celebrate the human spirit that transcends borders and unites us all.
Let us reflect on the shared humanity that binds us together, and reaffirm our commitment to providing support, compassion, and nourishment to those in need. Together, we can build a world where every migrant is welcomed with open hearts and open arms.
We are 8 years old!
RCK has reached its 8th year of service, this is a huge achievement only made possible by the courageous, kind and hardworking community that is RCK.
Since December 2015 we have freshly prepared and served over 3.8 million nutritious composite menus in northern France and the UK, not to mention over 8 million cups of tea, coffee and hot chocolate !
That is tonnes of curries, cakes, biryanis , tangines, lasagne ,rice, pasta, salads, shorba, hummus, chilli sauces, dukka sprinkles, crumbles, custard, flapjacks, flatbreads, sauerkraut, pickles, soup, cookies, muffins, fatayer, falafel, paratha, bolani, garlic bread, muffins, to mention just a few and of course love and kindness in every mouthful.
This is thanks to the 27,000 volunteers and the 100,000s of donors fundraisers and supporters that keep the food flowing.
We in awe of you all and humbled to be part of this community, sending love and thanks to each and every one of you. Together we are stronger.
Calais: Updates from the ground
It’s been a trying time in Calais this past month, more and more people have been arriving and unable to cross the channel due to severe weather. So far in the last month there have only been 2 crossings.
Refugees are living in difficult and unsanitary environments: freezing and muddy conditions without proper shelter or access to clean water. The severity of the situation for many is causing tension, conflicts and violence between the communities.
RCK, along with our fellow organisations on the ground, faces challenges in safely distributing our services. While endeavouring to provide daily meals for over 1,500 people in Calais alone, there is a pressing need to address concerns and modify our approach to ensuring the safe supply of hot food.
Our team of co-ordinators and volunteers has been absolutely incredible during this time, working tirelessly morning until night in the kitchens as well as exploring different sites and ways to serve in order to reach as many people as we can.
We’re so grateful to all who have been supporting us during this time and we will strive to find new ways to keep running throughout the winter no matter what.
Andi Oliver’s call for urgent winter funds for Refugee Community Kitchen
Last month we had the pleasure of welcoming Andi Oliver: chef, TV presenter; and author of The Pepperpot Diaries, to our kitchen in Gospel Oak, London. Andi is a long lasting, dedicated supporter and good friend of RCK.
Andi Oliver spent time with us in Calais during the winter months in 2016 and has since been advocating for people less fortunate than ourselves and has recently joined as one of our trustees!
Andi spent the day with us in the Gospel Oak London Kitchen cooking an exquisite menu of coconut curry chicken, with sticky orange & ginger aubergine and cashew nut rice and made lore than enough to feed over 150 people!
Please click on the link to donate to RCK’s winter funds ❄️🙏
New London site
Last month RCK and our group of incredible volunteers served over 2,400 meals across our six sites in London
This month we’re excited to announce that we’re opening a 7th site so that we can extend our services further
Please see the link in our bio to see how you can get involved through donations or volunteering with us - or simply share this post to help us spread awareness and help others
