EQUAL SOCIETY

The aim of the Soup Kitchen "People's Meals" is to provide daily, high-quality, and nutritious meals to more than 200 individuals affected by extreme poverty, food insecurity, and social exclusion, in a dignified, welcoming, and safe space. However, food provision is just one part of a broader approach that focuses on the holistic support of beneficiaries. Our core mission is to empower individuals through psychosocial services, vocational guidance, educational support, and creative and cultural activities, with the ultimate goal of social reintegration, self-sufficiency, and active community participation.

In parallel, through public events, awareness campaigns, and workshops open to the wider community, we aim to raise awareness about poverty, homelessness, and discrimination, thereby contributing to stronger social cohesion.

The soup kitchen “People’s Meals” primarily supports homeless individuals as internationally defined, including those living on the streets, in temporary shelters, institutions, or other closed facilities, as well as those residing in unsuitable or unsafe housing. It also serves individuals and households within the Municipality of Athens who meet specific social and economic criteria and are either experiencing poverty or are at immediate risk of falling into it.

This group includes FEAD (Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived) beneficiaries, people with very low or no income, unemployed individuals, persons with disabilities, legally residing third-country nationals, stateless persons, asylum seekers, single-parent families, families below the poverty line, and other socially vulnerable groups living within the geographic boundaries of the Municipality of Athens.

Indirect beneficiaries include the general public who participate in or attend social and cultural activities, becoming informed, sensitized, and engaged. Special attention is also given to the volunteer community, which develops a strong sense of social awareness through their involvement and plays a vital role in the success and outreach of the program's social message.

The soup kitchen “People’s Meals” began its operation in the Municipality of Athens in 2012 and has remained continuously active up to the present day (2025), with ongoing upgrades and expanded activities.

The soup kitchen “People’s Meals” by Equal Society is a holistic social intervention that began in 2012, aiming not only to meet nutritional needs but to provide full and dignified support to vulnerable individuals affected by poverty, social exclusion, and food insecurity. From the outset, the program has prioritized a comprehensive approach that fosters empowerment and social reintegration.

Each day, over 200 people receive a full lunch in a specially designed, welcoming space. In addition, psychosocial care and empowerment, vocational guidance, distribution of essential goods, and educational support are provided. The program has grown into a dynamic hub of social contribution, hosting the theater group of homeless people “Walkabout,” book presentations, a lending library, film screenings through the “Equal Cinema” initiative, and creative workshops for children and adults.

The program’s initiatives are rooted in innovation, social impact, and raising public awareness. It goes beyond conventional food assistance and transforms into a vibrant space for life, expression, and inclusion. Through a coordinated, interdisciplinary, and accessible approach, “People’s Meals” functions as a living cell of social solidarity and cultural activity, highlighting the values of dignity, participation, and solidarity.

The soup kitchen "People’s Meals" is implemented in close cooperation with the Municipality of Athens, while also developing occasional partnerships with other civil society organizations and educational institutions. Additionally, there are extensive collaborations with private sector entities such as supermarkets, restaurants, and companies, which contribute through food donations, food collection baskets, and the organization of charity bazaars and volunteer awareness actions, supporting the program’s sustainability.

The structure is supported by a team that includes a social worker, administrative staff, a cook, support personnel, and a theater director for cultural activities. Volunteers and organized groups from companies also contribute, assisting with meal distribution, supply collection, and the daily operation of the soup kitchen.

The initiative also serves as a practical training space for students in social sciences, offering them hands-on experience in social support services.

Its educational dimension is also significant, welcoming school visits from Greece and abroad as part of humanitarian trips and awareness programs, as well as beneficiaries from other organizations interested in learning how a social support structure operates and in experiencing the value of giving and solidarity.

The soup kitchen “People’s Meals” is located in the Municipality of Athens, in the Kolonos neighborhood (49 Alikarnassou Street). The facility is fully accessible to people with disabilities.

The soup kitchen "People’s Meals" has achieved measurable and meaningful results, providing direct support to vulnerable populations in the Municipality of Athens. Between 2017 and 2024, a total of 1,163 individuals benefited from the program, while 377,701 complete and nutritious meals were distributed on a daily basis. Additionally, 5,528 psychosocial support and vocational counseling services were delivered, promoting empowerment and integration.

The program has also implemented 112 awareness-raising and mobilization activities with active public participation, promoting social cohesion. To date, 125 volunteers have contributed, and collaborations have been established with 81 organizations and services. The initiative has received 5,024 donations, through which 1,011,942 items have been offered.

A key indicator of the program’s effectiveness is the Social Return on Investment (SROI), which for the period May to December 2022 reached 5.66:1—meaning that for every €1 invested, €5.66 of social value was created.

The operation of the Soup Kitchen has significantly strengthened Equal Society’s social footprint, establishing it as a key pillar of social support for vulnerable groups. Through its long-term operation and the active involvement of numerous stakeholders, volunteers, and sponsors, the organization has built a wide and stable network of 85 sponsors who consistently support the initiative.

The visibility and recognition of the program enhance the organization’s reputation, increase transparency, and attract new supporters and partnerships with more than 81 organizations and services.

Ongoing monitoring and measurement of social impact through SROI highlight the program’s high effectiveness and sustainable social value, with consistently strong performance indicators in recent years (ranging from 4.19 to 5.66). These results confirm the value of the intervention and strengthen the organization’s ability to attract support and expand services.