Solomon Smith has been fighting hunger since he was just 11 years old, handing out cooked meals to homeless people from his home in Brixton. Now 40, he runs Brixton Soup Kitchen, which supports over 100 people every day.
Growing up on the Moorlands Estate, Solomon had an 'amazing upbringing' with plenty of food, but his peers were not so fortunate. He recalls that some children as young as eight were shoplifting just to have something to eat.
After finishing university in 2012, Solomon established Brixton Soup Kitchen, located on the corner of Coldharbour Lane and Somerleyton Road. The kitchen has welcomed celebrities like Rio Ferdinand, Idris Elba, and Tessa Jowell, who have all helped out. However, running the kitchen is not easy; Solomon often stays up until 4am sending emails to secure funding, as the kitchen relies on spontaneous donations. 'That is our biggest problem right now,' he says.
The kitchen offers more than just warm meals. It provides a food bank, clothes bank, mental health support, massage therapy, and help with finding work and education. 'Anyone can come in, you don't have to be from Brixton. We're just based in Brixton,' Solomon explains.
He is proud of the eclectic menu, which includes fried chicken, rice, vegetables, and salad, with donations from companies like Coca-Cola and McVities. Heinz is the biggest donor for the food bank, providing pallets of baked beans, tuna, and spaghetti. The outreach extends beyond Brixton, with weekly trips to the West End and even to Miami, Jamaica, and Toronto.
Despite his fame, Solomon survives on benefits. He has helped tens of thousands of people, leaving no time for paid work. 'I'm on benefits,' he says, but he considers himself lucky to receive support through his work.
The pandemic tripled the number of people needing help, including families who could not access benefits, such as refugees. 'I just couldn't stop during lockdown,' Solomon says. The kitchen also helps rough sleepers with showers, clothes, and housing workers to find accommodation.
In the last six years, more regular people have turned up for help, including those who worked for big companies that went bust. Solomon believes community cohesion is key to tackling food poverty. 'Why are people starving? I do not get it,' he asks. 'We can keep on blaming the government, but we need to work together to support one another.'
A tragic incident in 2015 deeply affected Solomon. He turned away a man who arrived 10 minutes after closing time, and the man took his own life the next day. 'I don't think I've been able to forgive myself,' Solomon says. 'If we'd just given him 20 minutes, he probably still would be here today.' Since then, he never turns anyone away.
Another service user was once a successful property mogul who, after celebrating his first million, saw his friend shot dead in a drunken argument. He left his wealth behind and became homeless, haunted by the event.
Solomon finds immense satisfaction in his work. 'Knowing I mean so much to the community is one of the best feelings,' he says. He encourages anyone in need not to be embarrassed to ask for help, suggesting they can say the food is for someone else. The team does not ask questions or require coupons.
'Being able to have food in your house is of utmost importance,' Solomon reminds us.
