Feed Up, Warm Up

Feed Up Warm Up is a group which, although barely a year old, has already made a dramatic impact on people in North Herts who are struggling with homelessness and getting the essentials for basic living.

Founded by Shane Cole in 2018 and run solely through donations, volunteering and fundraising, the group is a testament to the power of a community and the organisers say that it shows what it can do when this support comes together.

The idea came about when Shane, who has a background in catering, wanted to set up a soup kitchen last winter. His reasons, as he explains, were very personal:

“When I was 17 and not long out of foster care, I was on the streets over Christmas. I have never been in a position until now to be able to help, but having made the request to the public to set this up, support piled in from all quarters and Feed Up Warm Up went from strength to strength.”

The success of the group has seen them open a pop-up shop in Letchworth – this is open for donations and offers a ‘pay as you feel’ model for customers. The shop which was developed in Garden Square Shopping Centre, raised in excess of £6,000 in its first four weeks and this money went towards a welfare van which allows the team to provide more support on the streets.

Feed Up Warm Up has been supported by a number of businesses and organisations in Hitchin, Letchworth and Baldock, with help coming from fundraisers, donations and volunteering.

There is a North Herts drop-in each week in Hitchin at The Scout Hut, Our Lady’s Church, Grove Road on Wednesdays from 6pm-8.30pm. Here, clients can enjoy some hot food, a warm drink, meet the team, get a haircut, have feet tended, get a warm jacket or clothes and toiletries to see them through the week.

The group also go out into the community at all hours to help those in need and provide care on the spot across the county. The success of the group has seen them open a pop-up shop in Letchworth

Feed Up Warm Up are always in need of donations, non-perishable items in particular. Donations can be brought to any of the drop-ins. Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult and please come between 5 & 6pm if you can.

Items currently needed include:

Pot Noodles, semi-Skimmed UHT 500ml cartons, baked beans (with ring pulls), small bottles of water, tea bags, small jars of coffee, cereal, cereal bars, small sugar packs, tinned meals (with ring pulls), tinned fruit (with ring pulls), tinned rice pudding, men’s deodorant, tents (1-4 man), sleeping bags, ground mats, rucksacks or holdalls, men’s S/M tops & t-shirts, men’s trousers (28”,30”,32” & 34”), Men’s S/M Jackets and Sweatshirts.

To find out more, contact info@feedupwarmup.co.uk