Caring for the Vulnerable

The Preston Sikh Sewa Society, based at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara on Bow Lane in
Preston, provides a range of remarkable services to the Preston Community.
On the last Sunday of each month, the Sikh Food Kitchen is opened on Preston
Market offering free hot food to the homeless in the City. More than 50 vulnerable
people are provided with excellent home make food from what is termed a Langar,
meaning a communal shared meal. In addition to that, groups from the society
regularly take hot food onto the streets to feed the homeless. All of this food is
freshly cooked by volunteers back in the kitchens at the Gurdwara on Bow Lane. It is
true home cooking.

But the home cooking doesn’t stop there. Back at the Gurdwara, the kitchen is
always busy. Not only is this a Langar for the Sikh community, the hall is open to
anyone in need. Large numbers of students who are struggling with the cost of living
issues are welcomed into the building where they can partake of hot food and drinks.
It is a true community centre.

Preston Guild Lodge were proud to support this great work by making a donation of
£1000 as part of their Installation Charitable Giving. Cliff Jones went to the Gurdwara
to present the cheque but was promptly put to work in the kitchen to help at what
was a busy time. That said, the reward was marvellous as there was the chance to
taste the wonderful food.

Raj Singh of the Guru Nanak Gurdwara said “this is a wonderful donation that will
help us to continue to serve the poor and homeless in Preston. We will be able to
produce thousands of meals with this help.” He also pointed out that they are
expanding their building in order to serve more meals. Members at the Gurdwara
make regular contributions to support their actions.

In reality, they share the same principles of masons by being ever mindful of the
needs of others.