For well over a decade now, the Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd Ministry in Wolverhampton have been feeding and caring for the poor, the homeless and the socially isolated from all over the City.
Three times a week a group of volunteers serve a hot meal from the base at Darlington Street Methodist Church in School Street, and on other days of the week there are sandwiches available.
Led by Brother Stephen and Brother Charles – the centre operates with the help of some funding, but largely the generosity and drive of those volunteers and other groups within Wolverhampton who provide clothing, funding or food.
Wolves have previously donated a fridge to the Soup Kitchen, and players have visited and lent a hand with the serving of the food.
The work of the Brothers is sadly never done – the room is often full to capacity on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays when the hungry and needy arrive not only for food but also a compassionate ear.
It was therefore agreed that Wolves Wishes should try and do something to help the Little Brothers heading towards Christmas and one of their busiest times of the calendar.
And so, a brand new washing machine will shortly be winging its way to the Centre, to help with what many consider a basic necessity – fresh, clean clothes.
We also wanted to do something for the Brothers, a gesture of thanks for the incredible work and selflessness with which they serve some of Wolverhampton’s must vulnerable.
“They won’t want or accept anything,” we were told.
Indeed it was true, they are focused only on helping others, and not themselves.
So we plumped for the one thing which he hope they would accept from a football club – tickets for a football match!
And so it is that Brother Stephen – a Wolves fan – and Brother Charles – a Blackburn fan – will (hopefully!) be guests at the league match between the two clubs next April.
Last Thursday was the Soup Kitchen’s Christmas meal, catering for up to 400.
Wolves keepers Carl Ikeme and Aaron McCarey, and Under-21 players Aaron Simpson, Ben O’Hanlon and Tendai Matinyadze went along to lend a hand.
Despite the difficult circumstances surrounding so many in the room there was happiness, there was laughter – and with carol singers in attendance, at times there was also dancing.
Even more so when the Major of Wolverhampton, Councillor Ian Brookfield, arrived with a cheque for £1,000 to add to the funds.
For any supporters wishing to help, the Good Shepherd Ministry has a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LittleBrothersOfTheGoodShepherdSoupKitchen/?fref=ts with further details including a quick and easy way to donate by text.
Thanks to the Brothers and all at the Centre for welcoming the players last week, and we wish everyone well.
