King Street in Sydney’s inner west is busy on weekends. And on a Saturday night, café and wine bar Parliament on King in Erskineville is a hive of activity.
But behind its cosy green façade, it’s not employees or customers creating the buzz. It’s volunteers.
They’re part of The Soup of Human Kindness, a food relief project founded in 2020 during the pandemic.
It’s unique for doing double the good. Food is prepared by asylum seeker and refugee chefs in Parliament on King’s commercial kitchen, then distributed free to people going through a tough time in the local community.
In the 5 years since it began, the project has delivered thousands of meals, along with support and opportunities for connection. It’s funded by proceeds from Parliament on King’s social enterprise catering project and a City of Sydney food support grant.
The refugee and asylum seeker chefs who make the food for the soup kitchen and social enterprise get a variety of things from it.
“For some it’s income while they’re studying or looking for other work. For others, it provides a sense of purpose, gives them a sense of belonging and helps ease their way into their new lives,” project founder and Parliament on King’s owner Ravi said.
And they don’t make just soup. In warmer months, the menu might switch to noodles or rice dishes. Every meal is based on the chefs’ family recipes, dishes from their countries of origin and made with care. The same meals served at high-end catering gigs are also provided to those in need.
There’s always a vegetarian and a non-vegetarian option. Providing choice and agency to people, even in a small way, is central to the project’s approach.
Everyone’s welcome to lend a hand
Each week, volunteer coordinator Karim puts out a call for help in a private Facebook Messenger chat. Volunteers are needed as drivers, servers and packers.
On Saturday evenings, the team gathers in the book-lined café. Some portion out soup into takeaway containers. Others sort donated clothes, books and sanitary items.
"Like President Lincoln said, 'When I do good, I feel good'"
Some volunteers have been coming for weeks, others for months or years. They come from all over Sydney.
“Tonight, we have a doctor, lawyer, hydrological engineer, scientist, a couple of people who work in TV and a finance journalist. We also have people that came to us during lockdown who were homeless. Now they might still be without permanent housing, but they come, pitch in and are equals with everybody,” Ravi said.
Karim has been involved since the beginning.
“We were having the world’s most boring apocalypse and I felt like I needed to do something. Ravi put the message out asking for people to come help him, and I thought – that’s perfect. I’ll come help,” Karim said.
The Soup of Human Kindness has become an essential part of his life. On the odd week he doesn’t come, he feels like something is missing.
“Like President Lincoln said, ‘When I do good, I feel good,’ and that’s what has happened,” he said.
The value of connection
Once everything is packed, the goods are loaded into cars or vans. One team delivers to a community of homeless people in Darlinghurst. Another takes the larger batch to social housing residents in Surry Hills. Attendance varies, but between 50 and 120 people typically turn up to support the later run.
Chareen, a recent arrival in Sydney and a new volunteer, joins the Surry Hills dispatch.
“This is my second time and I am learning so much. Times are so tough at the moment, there are so many people struggling and just to be able to help out in a really small way is really meaningful,” she said.
For her, volunteering is a way to build community and find connection.
“You always get way more out of it, I think, than the people you’re helping,” she said.
Stephen, who volunteers his van and time, shares the sentiment. He particularly enjoys chatting with people in the food queue, finding out what else they might need, whether it’s bedding, soap or simply conversation.
“We all enjoy doing it and meeting the people. That’s the important thing. It’s all very friendly and relaxed and then you find it brings a real sense of belonging,” he said.
"You always get way more out of it, I think, than the people you're helping."
How you can help
Volunteer your time
The Soup of Human Kindness always welcomes volunteers to help pack and serve meals and support each Saturday night.
Donate goods
“We’re also always after donations of clean bedding and clothing, toiletries and things like that,” Ravi said.
Contribute funds
The project accepts financial support through a Patreon link online. Find out more at Parliament on King’s website.
Have a project that can help provide food relief?
Apply for a food support grant by 5pm, Tuesday 12 August.
Published 15 July 2025
