The 24-Hour Soup Kitchen

Soul-Stirring Lessons in Gastrophilanthropy: Revised Edition

By: Stephen Henderson

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Paperback | 5 October 2021

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Paperback
272 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
22.86 x 15.24 x 2.03

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Stephen Henderson describes a fascinating series of culinary adventures, during which he spent time laboring alongside many gastrophilanthropists, or chefs who make feeding the needy their form of charity. Part memoir, and part how-to guide, Henderson’s field reports from across the globe show how much joy a good meal will give to a homeless and hungry person.

It was when traveling on assignment in India that journalist Stephen Henderson first learned of soup kitchens operated by Sikh houses of worship (or gurudwaras). After volunteering for a week at the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi—which feeds 20,000 men, women, and children every day—Henderson became curious to research global gastrophilanthropy, or the very different ways in which hungry people are served free meals around the world.

When newspaper and magazine work dispatched him to places across America and abroad, Henderson would add days to his itineraries to learn about local customs of charitable cookery. This intriguing series of field reports reveals the clamor, chaos, and compassion of kitchens in places such as Iran, Israel, and South Korea, as well as those in Austin, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh. While the recipes, culinary methods, and clientele may vary, all the soul-stirring experiences share a common theme: a great way to show love to the needy is through the gift of food.

Written with a huge heart, and an even bigger appetite, these chapters—sad and funny, sometimes both—may inspire you to embark on your own acts of gastrophilanthropy.

Now released in paperback, Stephen Henderson''s revised edition adds two new chapters reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on food insecurity and homelessness. His latest perspective demonstrates even further the necessity for all to step up in any way they can. After all, someone, somewhere, is always hungry.

Industry Reviews

"Like most of us, Stephen Henderson felt guilty about eating well in a hungry world. Unlike most of us, he did something about it. This fascinating tale is incredibly inspiring. Wondering what you can do? Reading this book would be a good place to start."
- Ruth Reichl, Chef, food writer, and host of PBS's "Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth"

"A captivating and original book. This quest to learn more about gastrophilanthropy is at once a vibrant travelogue and deeply moving search for self. I devoured it and still wanted more!"
- Cynthia Nixon, Actor and Activist

"Giving food to the hungry is a sacred responsibility and joy. This beautifully written series of autobiographical vignettes relates how a minister's child turned world-traveled writer discovered the various ways needy people are fed around the globe. Honest, colorful, and at times even humorous. I highly recommend it."
- Gregory E. Sterling, Dean of Yale Divinity School

"When figuring out how to help the needy, our choices are actually quite simple: clothe the naked, give shelter to the homeless, and feed the hungry. We all know this, but too often we're not sure where to begin. Stephen Henderson decided to start small, by baking up a few batches of cookies. From there, his culinary volunteerism grew, and took him to soup kitchens around the world. His unusual and poignant book may inspire you to light a fire-under a charitable fry pan, and under yourself!"
- Charles King, Chief Executive Officer, Housing Works

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