Isle of Wight people experiencing homelessness are benefiting from a £1,500 grant and produce donated to the Pop Up Soup Kitchen (PUSK). In 2022, Tesco donated an ex-fleet delivery van to the charity so that free, nutritious, ready-to-eat meals and other items could be given to those in need. This important service, which provides more than 4,000 meals a year, relies entirely on volunteers and is funded by donations. Tesco’s £1,500 grant will help ensure that PUSK’s van is fully stocked with items such as sleeping bags, foil blankets, warm clothing and toiletries, which can then be given to locals at no charge. In addition to the funding, Tesco HAS donated more than £150 worth of ingredients to help the provide more meals. Delivering warm meals is part of the charity’s commitment to ‘providing responsibly’ because people using the service often do not have the resources and time to cook. 
Jon Roberts, Store Manager at Ryde Extra, said:
“We are thrilled to be able to support the Pop Up Soup Kitchen again. It is fantastic to see one of our old delivery vans being put to such good use, and the contribution which the Pop Up Soup Kitchen makes to the local community is amazing. “We’d encourage residents to support the charity if they can as they do such invaluable work supporting those in need of the Isle of Wight.”
Trevor Blaney, founder of the Pop Up Soup Kitchen, was awarded a Local Food Hero award in 2017 for his work. Trevor said:
“I would like to thank Tesco for their continued support. Their generous donations mean we can continue offering our services, which are a real lifeline for locals. “With Tesco’s help, the van is stocked with essentials and because it looks like a Tesco delivery vehicle, we’re able to discreetly carry out our work, which is important when providing support.” “This summer marks the soup kitchen’s 10-year anniversary. In recognition of this, I will be driving the van to cities such as Newport, Sheffield and Manchester to raise awareness of our work, the benefit it’s delivered and ways in which this could be replicated in other areas. “Tesco has committed to supporting me by providing food and other resources at each location I visit, which is really special.”
Well where is it?? At least give out that info Island Echo!
They claim to provide “nutritious” meals but I can see Pot Noodles in the van. Garbage.
if some unfortunate homeless person hasn’t eaten for a couple of days,.. I don’t suppose they would be quite so pickey as you…
Have you donated anything (other than your pathetic comment)?
Have you got any free scratch cards booze or fags? If not count me out.
I would love a pot noodle last had one as a treat for Xmas dinner. When you live out of bins this is a rare treat. When you in Ventnor next?
I ain’t got no bananas have ewe got any on the bus? Drop some off to me at Pan Estate number*** 3rd on left pads the chippy. Hurry up as well as I ain’t got all day.
and the food bank in Newport has been told to close…… WTF?
Someone got dressed in the dark. Accidentally put on a pair of curtains instead of some trousers.
Oh Johnny you “fashioneesta” careful the one brain cell will go onto overload.
Brilliant. Nice to see there ARE some decent humanitarians…pitifully few on here judging by some of the nasty spiteful privileged and entitled comments.
give it a rest karen – fed up with do gooders, virtue signalling – if you are so worried why don’t you give up your home to them – thought not
I don’t understand. Obviously, they get paid benefits of some description each month, so why do people need soup kitchens and the like? What are they doing with the money they’re given?
It’s a serious question, I honestly don’t understand why they don’t buy food if they’re hungry.