Key Takeaways
- Soul Food, a charity that provides meals to those in need, is ending its weekly dinner service after 14 years
- The couple behind the charity, Hedges-Youens and Youens, have decided to focus on family and their own well-being
- The charity will continue to provide food parcels, but with more flexibility in terms of volunteering days
- The decision to end the weekly dinner service was not taken lightly, with Hedges-Youens admitting to shedding tears over the end of the meals
- The couple has gained a lot from the charity, including meeting each other and bringing up their blended family to help with volunteering
Introduction to Soul Food
Soul Food, a charity that has been providing meals to those in need for 14 years, has announced that it will be ending its weekly dinner service. The last dinner was a special Christmas one, held on December 22. The couple behind the charity, Hedges-Youens and Youens, have decided to focus on family and their own well-being, after dedicating countless hours to the charity. The decision to end the weekly dinner service was not taken lightly, with Hedges-Youens admitting to shedding tears over the end of the meals. The couple has been committed to the charity, picking up donated food, storing items in their personal freezers, and making sure they had all the ingredients for the next meal.
The History of Soul Food
Soul Food was begun to help feed those who were struggling, with Hedges-Youens motivated by a rough time in her teenage years. Over the years, the charity has changed what it offers, from on-site meals twice a week to takeaway meals offered on Mondays. The service was originally moved around the city, including using the Rose St Bus Stop and Water St carpark, but it has been settled in the Anglican Church hall for eight or nine years. Since it started, more community organisations have been set up to help feed Whangārei’s rough sleepers, and Hedges-Youens feels a sense of relief knowing that there are other places that offer free meals. The couple has given plenty to Soul Food, but they have also gained a good deal from the charity, including meeting each other and bringing up their blended family to help with volunteering.
The Impact of Soul Food
The couple has been dedicated to Soul Food, and their commitment has not gone unnoticed. The charity has made a significant impact on the community, providing meals to those who need them most. Hedges-Youens has been struggling with fatigue due to an uncontrolled health condition, and she will now focus on her own health and her family. The decision to end the weekly dinner service will allow the couple to have more control over their volunteering days, and they will continue to provide food parcels to those in need. The couple is grateful that there are other organisations that will continue to provide free meals, and they are confident that the community will continue to be supported.
The Future of Soul Food
The future of Soul Food is uncertain, but the couple is committed to continuing to provide support to those in need. The charity will continue to provide food parcels, and the couple will have more flexibility in terms of volunteering days. Hedges-Youens is looking forward to focusing on her own health and her family, and she is grateful for the experience and opportunities that Soul Food has provided. The couple has been a vital part of the community, and their dedication to Soul Food has not gone unnoticed. As they move forward, they are confident that the community will continue to support those in need, and they are grateful to have been a part of it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Soul Food, a charity that has been providing meals to those in need for 14 years, has announced that it will be ending its weekly dinner service. The couple behind the charity, Hedges-Youens and Youens, have decided to focus on family and their own well-being, after dedicating countless hours to the charity. The decision to end the weekly dinner service was not taken lightly, but the couple is confident that the community will continue to support those in need. The charity will continue to provide food parcels, and the couple will have more flexibility in terms of volunteering days. As they move forward, they are grateful for the experience and opportunities that Soul Food has provided, and they are confident that the community will continue to thrive.