Pride of NZ: Mobile soup kitchen fills the gap

Kiri Swannell (left), Kevin Swannell serves soup from the back of his ute parked in Clive Square, Napier. Photo / APN

Each week, Napier woman Kiri Swannell cooks a 60-litre pot of soup.

Every Monday at 6pm, she and her husband Kevin go to the city's Clive Square and serve the soup from the back of their utility truck to the needy, including the city's 10 to 20 homeless people.

The soup truck has become a regular and popular fixture in Napier. It is for this voluntary work that the Swannells have been nominated in the Community Spirit section of the Pride of New Zealand Awards to be announced at an awards dinner in Auckland next week.

"There are people who don't have enough money and don't have enough food. And for others it is just for the company," Mrs Swannell said of the soup truck, which they have been running for 15 months.

The Swannells, who have six children ranging in age from 7 to 21, say they are compelled to help those in need because they know what it is like to struggle. "We have almost had a Once Were Warriors lifestyle and we have fought our own battles."

Mr Swannell, an engineer, converted the back of their truck so it could operate as a mobile soup kitchen.

Mrs Swannell said she studied a mental health course last year and it opened her eyes to people who "slip through the system".

"It is not just about giving them soup and feeding them, it is about making them feel worthy."

They have recently introduced "snack packs" to last a couple of days.

Mrs Swannell is lobbying for a night shelter for the city's homeless people.

"I don't think anyone should be on the street, not even for just one night."