At Refugee Community Kitchen in France, our mission is to serve nutritious meals to refugees in Calais and Dunkirk, providing essential support to people fleeing unimaginable hardship. Many of the individuals we serve have been displaced due to conflicts and crises in countries like Sudan, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Iran, and Syria. These regions are deeply impacted by ethnic conflict, political turmoil, natural disasters, and increasing instability, which drive individuals to seek safety elsewhere.
When refugees reach Calais, they are often malnourished, exhausted, and dealing with deteriorating health and low immune systems due to long periods of food insecurity and lack of medical care. That’s why the nutritious meals we provide are so crucial—they don’t just fill stomachs; they help people regain strength, restore health, and bring moments of warmth and dignity to those who have suffered so much.
As winter draws near, the number of people seeking our support continues to grow. More refugees arrive each day, facing harsh conditions in Calais and Dunkirk, where government policies often deny them access to basic services, shelter, and safety. After enduring long and difficult journeys, many are left stranded with nowhere to turn.
Winter in these areas is unforgiving, with bitter cold and relentless winds that cut through even the warmest clothing. Freezing temperatures and morning frost cover the ground where many are forced to sleep without shelter. It’s a dire situation that highlights the urgent need for compassion and action to protect those facing these conditions.
Refugee Community Kitchen funds are desperately low, due to the ever increasing number of people we help, rising food costs and ongoing challenges, so with winter approaching, our work is more urgent than ever. As temperatures drop, a warm, healthy meal can make all the difference for someone facing harsh living conditions. It is during these difficult months that our community must come together to ensure no one is left without the care and nutrition they need. Please support our mission in this crucial time. Together, we can provide hope, warmth, and sustenance for those who need it most.
To meet these challenges head-on, RCK has set a goal of raising £50,000 over the coming winter months when conditions are hardest on the ground. We are calling all supporters, new and old, to dig deep this winter and help. Just a few pounds, or the price of a cup of coffee, helps keep the food flowing and shows our commitment and humanity in an ever-deepening crisis right on our doorstep.
• Warm Meals: with your support, RCK can continue to serve freshly prepared, hot meals full of nutrients. Currently £5 provides 2-3 large meals of rice or potatoes, a hearty main of beans or lentils, fresh salad, and as many healthy and delicious condiments and spices we can carry.
• Overheads: gas, electricity, water, rent to run our large kitchens and fuel to keep the vans on the road.
• Equipment: your contributions help to acquire and maintain our vital kitchen equipment, including fridges, ovens, burners and vehicles.
• Support for volunteers: Accommodation and expenses - volunteers work tirelessly and their efforts are invaluable. Your donations will help provide them with the necessary resources and support to continue their critical work.
This winter, your donation can be a lifeline for those who are often forgotten. It can be a symbol of solidarity and compassion, reminding refugees that they are not alone on their life journey. Together, we can write a different chapter in the story of refugees in Northern France - one filled with warmth, hope, and a brighter future.
Your contribution can make all the difference to hungry and vulnerable people.
Your donation will be immediately put to use. Donate today and be a part of this story of resilience, courage, humanity, nourishment and compassion in the face of adversity.
* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.
