The Quaker community has a reputation for being good
Christians, such as in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the
sick. The Quaker Homeless Action is just another manifestation of the
tight-knit communities' dedication to putting Jesus Christ's mission for the
marginalized of society.
The national charity was established in the mid-1960s when a
group of Quakers opened a Christmas soup facility to offer food, friendship and
cheer to homeless people in Central London. The informal project became the
Quaker Open Christmas and then the Quaker Christmas Shelter, which also
provides beds, shelter and food along with cheer to the homeless all over
London during the Christmas period.
Today, the Quaker Christmas Shelter has been operated in
three main locations, namely, Blackfriars Church until 2004, then at
Whitechapel Mission until 2005, and at the Union Chapel from 2007 until the
present). As an operation run by volunteers from 23-30 December each year, the
program managers appreciate every dollar of donations made, every canned food
delivered, and every minute rendered in the service of fellowmen.
