‘Group is a lifesaver’: strangers buy Wetherspoon’s meals for homeless people through app
Summary
A WhatsApp group connected to a Wetherspoon’s Facebook community helps homeless and vulnerable people in the UK by buying them meals at Wetherspoon’s pubs using the chain’s app. People in need send a meal request with a photo, and donors respond by buying the food anonymously, creating a supportive network without formal charity structures.Key Facts
- Carl, a homeless man, uses this group to receive meals at Wetherspoon’s pubs and maintain contact with his daughters.
- At least 382,000 people are homeless in England, and about one in six UK households struggle to afford food.
- The group started as part of a Facebook community where strangers buy each other drinks at Wetherspoon’s using the pub’s app.
- The founder, Chris Illman, experienced homelessness and created the WhatsApp group to help vulnerable people get food and non-alcoholic drinks.
- Nearly 700 people have joined the WhatsApp group to respond quickly to meal requests from those in need.
- Homeless or vulnerable people send requests with proof of location inside Wetherspoon’s; group admins then share these requests anonymously with donors.
- Donors claim requests by replying with what they will buy, without expecting thanks or recognition.
- The group helps most days and supports up to 20-30 families during busy times like school holidays, with no limits on how often people can ask for help.
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