After celebrating Goodgym Ealing 9th birthday in the park, both Nishy and Steph Ducat headed to St John's church to help feed the homeless. As we both arrived a bit early, we were tested on our wrapping : not gift wrapping but creating wraps that would be fried for the guests thatwould be coming later in the afternoon. Different approach from the team : roll it like a cigarette or like an ice cream cone and put the filling in without it getting out. We created edible masterpieces. Once all done, Ash the chef, fried them. Customers started coming in and Nishy was serving drinks and helping in the main foyer. Steph Ducat was in the kitchen helping and cleaning all the pots and pans and assisting kitchen crew when needed. So it was fried fille tortilla filled with mince, potatoes, spices etc. There were also some jacket potatoes with cheese and some vegetable soup. Fruit salad was also served. Busy shift and then Steph Ducat was hit by a storm of plats, cups, bowls and pots. How many cups have they used and didnt match the number of guests? Seems that they used several cups instead of reusing theirs. In the end guests had full tummy's and left with some takeaway food like bananas. some fried tortillas, bread, fruit etc.. Nishy helped clearing the foyer and Steph Ducat cleaning the kitchen.

We are clearly wrap artists as the wraps went down a treat and none broke or disintergrated in the oil.

Last shift of the day as all good things come to an end but also everything needs to be cleaned and put away for the next session. Welcome Osama who got straight into cleaning in the kitchen. I stayed also to clean the kitchen as ai am one of the culprits who did make a mess in it. Then one of our regular at Goodgym did her first appearance at the Hub : Gabriela. I could not remember from which country Gabriela was and she told me Venezuela. Told her and introduce her to 3 regular voluteers(Sonia and her children Isabella & Albert) who are from South America. The strange thing is that they are from the same place in Venezuela 🇻🇪. Its a small world 🌎. Goodgym is not only helping and staying fit but it is also making new friends like it was the case today. Gabriela has new "Pana" or friends. They chatted during the session and exchanged numbers.

Lunch service of the ESK was red as 5 Goodgymers volunteering from 1pm to help serve guests. Freya went from the tea station to serving, Iram was on parcel duties and also then helped in the kitchen with the pot wash,both Jamie and Jamiewere serving food and Steph Ducat was in his usual spot ...the kitchen finishing the prep and serving food. On the menu today was lovely Moussaka : lamb or veggetable served with a side salad. Then strawberries with greek yoghurt, a little sprinkle of sugar and some honey.

Busy shift and all the food went to hungry guests who enjoyed the meals. Takeaway service was also a success at the end of the food serving period.

There was a wave of red t shirts in the serving/kitchen area as 2 more voluteeers arrived at 3pm to help cleaning. 7 Goodgymers in total on the day.

Friday ESK hub and Freya who is one of our regulars here was holding the fort at the Tea station. Serving tea, coffee, drinks, biscuits and cereals. One of the guests challenged Freya to chess but she said she did not know how to play and he was ready to teach her, but Freya had to manage the fort as on her own at the station. Maybe next time.

Jacquie, Chris, Aislinn and Steph Ducat signed up to volunteer until 3pm as requested by Angela, but as the BBQ was still in full swing and all were enjoying the sun, they all decided to carry on and finish by clearing, cleaning and packing up. All the customers were leaving and the crew worked relentless to ensure all was packed and left clean. They enjoyed some snow cones too. Super troopers!!!

Summer BBQ at Ealing Soup Kitchen and the Goodgym Crew were in place to prep plats and serve hungry customers in the garden. Jacquie and Ash Aislinn were serving drinks and food outside in the lovely sun, whilst Chris and Steph Ducat were in the kitchen/foyer plating food ready to go out. Loads of choice today for the BBQ : meat and veggie burgers on buns, chicken or veggie sausages and some porc ones in hotdog rolls, chicken wings and thighs not to forget lamb or chicken skewers. Grilled pepper and onions, halloumi, grilled tomatoes and corn on the cob on the side. Had some pita bread for the skewers. Sauces like ketchup, mayonnaise and BBQ sauce were also provided to the hungry customers. All the food went and the kitchen crew were thanked by the clients - success for the whole team. Deserts followed with mixed fruit and ice cream : most appreciated in the hot day.