Parliamentary praise on menu for soup kitchen
Outstanding project has raised £70,000
The UK parliament has recognised a Barrhead church for its“outstanding” work in organising a weekly soup lunch for more than 100 people and for raising money for charity.
Paul Masterton, MP for East Renfrewshire, praised Barrhead Bourock Parish Church’s Soup Stop in a motion lodged at Westminster.
The move came after Paisley- based Mr Masterton, who is former chairman of Ralston Community Council, visited the initiative, which is run by volunteers.
The Tory politician said it was a “privilege” to celebrate the project in the House of Commons.
In a letter to the congregation, the MP said: “You have raised an outstanding amount of money for many well-deserving charities.
“Thank you for the warm welcome and extremely tasty broccoli and stilton soup.”
The motion stated that the charity, which raises money for a different cause each month, has “raised more than £70,000 for good causes since its inception in 2008”.
It also “pays tribute to the volunteers who donate their time to Soup Stop”.
The project has raised money for organisations including Breast Cancer Care, Alzheimer’s Scotland and Macmillian Cancer Support.
A monthly amount also goes towards supporting the church itself.
Session Clerk and Soup Stop organiser Linda Dye, said the team behind the initiative were “delighted” to be recognised at Westminster.
“We were so delighted that Paul took the time to come to Soup Stop,” she said.
“It’s a church-based project, but it’s community outreach and we raise money for charities too.
“Lots of single elderly people come for the lunch because they get to sit with other people. We serve more than 100 customers for the two hours we’re open.”
Soup Stop runs every Friday from noon to 2pm at Barrhead Bourock Parish Church.