Next Meal Saturday

Saturday 29th January 2022 – across the UK

Feeding street homeless in Manchester (Manchester Evening News)

Each year we celebrate Next Meal Saturday, an opportunity to raise awareness of the plight of street homelessness. Over the years we’ve sent thousands of Next Meal leaflets and cards to participating centres and public locations, and we’ve visited cities and towns across the UK to distribute Next Meal cards to those in need.

In 2020, we lit up Exeter Cathedral with a giant Next Meal display.

Since then, many aspects of street homelessness have changed but the need for Next Meal continues, with the nextmeal.co.uk website at the centre of our response.

With around 300 centres on our database, we offer a unique service for those looking for their next meal, for a friendly face or support to help them deal with the new challenges of homelessness or sustaining tenancy.

The Next Meal team will be in central London on Saturday, and we know that centres up and down the UK will be doing their bit to help spread the word – and, of course, Next Meal cards.

Next Meal Saturday has always been an important date in the Next Meal calendar, and this year is no different. It’s an opportunity to get our message – to the street homeless and the wider public.
Every card that is handed to someone in difficulty, and every visit to our website, has the potential to save someone’s life.
Thank you to all of the centres who have agreed to help this year.
Martin Stone, Next Meal founder

Imagine If You Had the Power to Change Someone’s Life…

January 25, 2020, was a lot like many other winter’s days in the United Kingdom.

At a high of about 6degC it was not one you wanted to spend outside for long.

Across the country, people saw their friends, had a beer at the pub, watched football, and spent time with their families.

And on that same day, hundreds of people sat in the cold, shivering, hungry and alone – because they had nowhere else to go.

An estimated 320,000 people are homeless in the United Kingdom, according to statistics from homeless charity Shelter.

That’s why, on that same day – January 25, 2020 – volunteers went and handed out Next Meal cards and food to mark Next Meal Saturday.

Next Meal Saturday is the ambitious goal of giving a Next Meal card to every homeless or vulnerable person in the UK.

A Next Meal card is a way to raise awareness for the Next Meal website – which uses GPS to help people find their nearest soup kitchen, shelter, or day centre on any given day.

London lead the way, with volunteers at Kings Cross, Euston, and London Bridge handing out cards and food.

Next Meal founder Martin Stone marked the day in Exeter – where the city’s cathedral was lit up with Next Meal’s logo and message.

“Every card that was handed out carries the potential to change a life,” Martin said.

“Helping people find their nearest soup kitchen means they can get a regular source of food, some warmth, and even some genuine human interaction.

“Even just one card can make a huge difference.”

Next Meal Saturday started in 2019, with 2020 marking its second year.

“Next Meal Saturday is going from strength to strength,” Martin said.

“We’re looking forward to 2021 being even more successful.”

From a standing start, the Next Meal website now lists almost 400 centres offering food and support.

What is Next Meal Saturday?

January 25 is fast approaching and that means Next Meal Saturday is almost here.

But that may have you asking: ‘What is Next Meal Saturday?’

Next Meal Saturday is our ambitious goal of giving a Next Meal card to every homeless or vulnerable person in the UK.

A Next Meal card is more valuable than money. By giving it to someone, you’re helping them find the nearest soup kitchen, shelter, or day centre on any given day.

On January 25, volunteers will be on the streets handing out the cards to the homeless, hungry and vulnerable.

“Even just one card can make a huge difference to someone’s life,” Next Meal founder Martin Stone said.

Next Meal Saturday started in 2019 and is now into its second year.

“Next Meal Saturday is going from strength to strength,” Martin said.

“We know it’s an ambitious goal, but that’s what Next Meal was set up for.”

This year Martin will be leading the cause from Exeter. But he encouraged people to get involved wherever they were.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Go to Next Meal.co.uk.
Find your nearest soup kitchen.
Contact them and ask how you can help, or if you can pick up Next Meal cards.
On January 25, give out a card- even just one card could make a huge difference.

Use the hashtag #NextMealSaturday on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to tell us how you got on. We’d love to hear from you.