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.