The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Soup scheme bowled over by £9k grant
It started as a way of reaching out to lonely people in Brechin during the long days of the Covid pandemic. A cup of broth and a bit of a blether on the doorstep.
Now the soup scheme, that is still going strong four years on, has landed enough lottery cash to keep its heartwarming work going for another year.
Brechin Soup Initiative is one of the Angus winners in the latest round of National Lottery community fund grants.
Almost 400 organisations across Scotland have been helped out to the tune of £15 million.
The £9,333 coming Brechin’s way almost covers the project’s costs for a full year.
Every Wednesday, Brechin Soup Initiative delivers a cup of frozen soup and a roll – with the help of Angus business Keptie Bakery – to around 150 locals.
Its dedicated team has expanded the offering to a regular community lunch.
Deputy chairman Mike Harris said the lottery funding is a big boost.
“There are 20-plus volunteers who work under the auspices of St Andrew’s Episcopal Church but affiliation is not necessary,” Mr Harris said.
The team includes nine delivery drivers, with the remainder being cooks and cleaners.
Mr Harris added: “We deliver soup weekly to around 150 people.
“In addition, we run a quarterly community lunch, which doesn’t usually include soup but a nicely rounded twocourse meal.
“Again, there is no charge but donations are appreciated.
“We’re also in touch with local schools to assist pupils with life skills under separate funding.”
The scheme started in 2021 when family firm Stirfresh, at Upper Dysart near Montrose, donated vegetables to the church.
Volunteers say the gratitude of the many residents who have become regulars on the soup-androll round is a great reward.
“As you can imagine, the initiative is very popular and we are often thanked,” said Mr Harris. “We also have a Brechin Soup Initiative Facebook page if anyone wants to know more.
“We need around £10,000 a year to keep the initiative running, and for this year we are incredibly grateful to the lottery fund for the assistance it has given.”