THREEPENNY MEALS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 124, 27 May 1932, Page 8

THREEPENNY MEALS.

HASTINGS FOOD KITCHEN.

SELF-SUPPORTING- SCHEME.

HOW COUPONS ARE ISSUED.

A food kitchen, at which a two-course hot meal is obtainable at a cost of threepence, was opened in Hastings last week, and already is proving a great success. The scheme is self-supporting, and that there is a demand for its service is shown by the fact that the daily number of meals served has steadily increased each day.

On the first day 51 hot dinners were served to adults and children, but in four days the number had exactly doubled (says the "Dominion"). It appeared as though there were a certain amount of shyness at first among those unfortunate enough to wish to patronise the kitchen, but any such feeling has now disappeared, and the. kitchen is freely used as a means of obtaining a liot and nourishing dinner, either free or for the payment of threepence.

The idea of opening the kitchen was put into effect by a committee of business men, but only after long consideration. There can be no doubt that there was a very acute need, and that there are many in the town who would not otherwise be able to procure a hot dinner during the cold days of winter.

Coupons of a value of threepence each are supplied to the Mayor, to the welfare officer, to the clergy, the schoolmasters and to other properly authorised persons, and are issued by them. If a resident wishes to contribute a hot meal, or a number of hot meals, he merely sends along any petitioner to one of the holders of coupons and stands the cost. It is a far more satisfactory method than that of distributing indiscriminate sums to those who have to make pitiful requests for a dinner, and one has the assurance that one's little contributions go into the right channels. A paid cook is engaged, but the daily supervision is carried out by one or another of the committee.

Breakfasts have now become necessary and a few call in to get them, but dinner at mid-day is the popular meal. The most appealing service rendered by the kitchen, however, is the provision of an early two-course hot evening meal to school children selected by the masters and teachers and fed under their supervision. There are sadly large numbers of such children, and all doubt of their need is dispelled by the assurances of those who are in a position to know their domestic circumstances.