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5 Dec 2002

Glenda Jackson MP opens Camden Centre

By Radha Mohan Dasa

On the morning of Tuesday 3rd December 2002, Glenda Jackson MP made a special visit to 176 Royal College Street in Camden to officially open the new Food for All centre.

Throughout the whole day every day, the centre feeds the needy with sumptuous prasad, provides medical assistance, free Internet access, counselling and advice, opportunities to hear and take part in transcendental bhajans, and association. It is a joint venture between Hare Krishna Food For All, Big Issue and Groundswell, (who restore the self esteem of those in need), but the majority of the work in Camden is done by the devotees: Parasurama, Dr Dean and Bhagavat Ananda prabhus.

Present at the opening were representatives from ISKCON, Big Issue, Groundswell, former homeless, social workers, general volunteers and NHS nurses. Journalists from the Camden New Journal and the Hampstead and Highgate local newspapers were also present, as well as ISKCON photographers.

Touring the small property, Glenda saw the prasad distribution, computer room, prescription/ advice office, computer room and music room. "Absolutely lovely," she said, then adding "You've really packed a lot in and maximised the use of space." She also mentioned that she has noticed the centre on numerous occasions as she had passed by: Indeed, Royal College street is a busy main road.

Inside the centre, as he took prasad, I interviewed David Olapoju who was formally homeless for years. He had a lot to say:

"This place is very convenient. It's somewhere to have a warm meal which also gives spiritual benefit. This kind of place is needed in the area. The drugs and crime scene in Camden is the highest in London. It's the most integrated borough: People from all walks of life are here. This centre provides social integration on a spiritual platform, and I think represents the way forward."

Steve Scott, a representative of Groundswell, said of the opening "Absolutely fantastic. Because of all the work Food for All has done over the years, they are getting their just desert to have it established in bricks and mortar. Absolutely brilliant!"

Sivarama Swami, ISKCON UK's GBC leader commented "My congratulations to Parasurama Prabhu and the devotees who made Camden centre what it is. It is a wonderful addition to the London and UK preaching effort. Well done."