Soup Kitchens in Serbian Capital Busier Than Ever

“I have been coming here since 2008. The food is good. There is rarely meat, but the meals are decent. This is my morning routine and given that I can’t find a job - it’s not that bad that I have to come here, at least I have a reason to leave the house,” said a 50 year old woman who refused to be named.

She wasn’t the only one who preferred not to identify herself. “Ask what ever you want, but don’t ask me for my name and don’t take pictures of me. I grew up here and I really don’t want my childhood friends to see where I have to come to eat,” said one of the kitchen’s regulars.

This 48 year old man lost his job eight years ago when the company he worked in was privatised and although he has had some part time jobs, for  the last two years he hasn’t worked.

“I know that I shouldn’t be embarrassed by my poverty. It’s not something that anyone should be ashamed of, but you would understand this feeling if you were in my shoes,” he said.

Rosa, a grey headed woman who works in one of the kitchens, says that number of those coming for a meal is growing from month to month. “Last summer there was about 100 people on my list, now there are about 120 names. Every month one or two new people start coming,” she said.

The number of free meals served to the poorest citizens of Belgrade has risen to more than 10,000 per day in January this year, almost 3,000 more than last January. Most of the recipients are elderly or infirm and live alone.

“My income is low and there are bills to pay. In the summer months I don’t come here every day, but during the winter, the bills are higher so I have to come here no matter how cold it is. Otherwise I won’t have anything to eat,”  a stooping 76 year old man said.

Visitors are served a filling hot meal, bread and a bun. However, many receipients are ill  and need a special diet. “I’m grateful for this food. When you’re stomach is empty it’s not like you’re going to be picky. But, on the other hand I’m aware that although I won’t die from hunger, this food is slowly killing me,” said a thin, elderly man with diabetes.

There are 46 soup kitchens round the city and each of Belgrade’s 17 municipalities has at least one. The largest number is in Lazarevac, where there are 11 kitchens, while the kitchens in Zemun feed 2,200 people daily.