Source
r/homeless•
chucktits33

What’s your favorite kind of soup?

So, it’s fucking frigid in KC right now, and only going to get colder. I am making veggie beef soup to serve tomorrow night at a park. I participate with the groups KC Heroes and Free Hot Soup KC. If you are homeless in this area and have Facebook, please look them up.

So my question is: what kind of hot food do you like to warm you up? I made ham and beans last time from the ham bone and meat from our thanksgiving. Not everyone wanted some. I’m making beef and veggie soup this time using hamburger. I try to make everything as packed full of veggies and different form of protein as possible, but takers aren’t critics. They just don’t accept for their own reasons and I don’t ask. I thought about also bringing bean and cheese burritos wrapped in foil so they can warm it over whatever heat source they might have. Any opinions are welcome! I just want to help others as much as I can. I was once there, and it makes me happy to serve others.

Posted Jan 29, 2019, 12:53 AM UTC

3944
feelingmyage•

Broccoli-Cheddar soup.

18
chucktits33OP•

I will try this! I didn’t think broccoli was popular, but I can make a bad ass soup. What’s your location, friend?

5
SuperGayLesbianGirlCar Dweller•

Broccoli & cheddar is miles ahead of other soups. Potato leek isn't bad either.

12
wojosmith•

Pkg. cream cheese, 2 cups of chicken broth, couples heads of broccoli. Play with other things to add.

4
feelingmyage•

USA

3
chucktits33OP•

Well, if you are ever in the KC area and need a meal or supplies, send me a dm. There’s an army of people willing to help.

8
SuperGayLesbianGirlCar Dweller•

Me and you would get along just fine

5
noomtube101•

Yeah broccoli cheddar ftw!

2
[deleted]•

Potato soup can be made from condensed milk and potatoes are pretty hardy as far as stowage is concerned.

10
givemeallthekiwis•

So. Many. Cheese. Suggestions.

This drives me nuts, if you can please try to have some of whatever without cheese. This was the biggest problem at the shelter I stayed at, many of us there could not eat most cheeses for various reasons or didn't want it, which regularly annoyed staff because stuff on their menu that they made US cook would mostly go uneaten.

I just remembered that we once made a chicken chili that was a hit. No spiciness and we cut the beans in the recipe in half so people had a better chance of picking them out if not wanted.

8
IamEOLS24F | NY, U.S.A.•

Yeah. Cheese is good and tasty, but a lot of people are lactose intolerant. Being poor or homeless doesn't mean people should subject themselves to pain and illness by eating food their bodies can't easily handle.

Plus milk / dairy is one of the most common food allergies, so it could wind up killing someone.

So if there's a cheese soup or soup with cream that's made, u/chucktits33 , there should also be a second one which doesn't contain dairy -- as there is a very high likelihood some of the people would be unable to eat it.

4
chucktits33OP•

Yeah, we usually do have options. I haven’t seen anyone make and cheese based soups yet, only cream of potato.

3
VyzantinistSheltered/Volunteer/Advocate•

You might have picked one the greatest subs to ask that question!

Soups I love:

Oxtail

Mungo Bean soup

Tom Yum

Sinigang

Clam chowder (tomato or creamy)

6
chucktits33OP•

If you have a recipe for either I would greatly appreciate it! I have been looking for the recipe for a Tom Yum I had in Branson(of all places) when I was really sick one time. Best soup ever!

3
VyzantinistSheltered/Volunteer/Advocate•

If you can find any kind of Asian market/store, all you need is the paste, anything else you add is up to you. I can happily sit and just drink tom yum broth out of a thermos.

I used to cook for a group of 50+ homeless veterans and civilians. One of their favorite dishes of mine was turkey stew. Came about because the business next door let us use their freezer, and we had 6 or so leftover turkeys from the previous thanksgiving, but no way of cooking them. I would thaw the bird out then boil the whole thing in a family size pot. I'd de-bone the carcass, return the meat to the broth, add canned tomatoes, rice/pasta/potatoes, and sundry canned vegetables. The guys wolfed it down. Canned tomatoes + chicken broth is an underrated combo: the tomatoes add nice flavor to otherwise bland broth, and the broth turns it into a tomato soup even people who hate tomato soup can like.

4
[deleted]•

I haven't been in KC since 2008, but I remember a group of volunteers we homeless folks named the Chili People. They would park their truck near the corner of 9th & Harrison, and dish up some very tasty (but not too spicy) chili with crackers. Chili, of course, can be stretched to feed a lot of the hungry and its consistency will vary from a thick stew to a thin soup.

We also had the Sausage People passing out summer sausages, the Spaghetti Truck with that staple, another group which came in the evening (but those in nearby shelters could not partake), and a married couple I named the Hillbillies. (I only ate their offering once; it consisted of beans and rice and pasta together, overcooked to the point that it resembled wallpaper paste in texture and taste.)

If you're going to do it, serve a mildly spiced chili made with lots of ground beef, with lots of crackers --- nix the broccoli cheese soup.

6
ChurroMom_2018Homeless•

I’d honestly cry if I had some awesome chili. I’m making my dad (finally!) tell me how to make his chili (or at least the basics and then I can make it mine) and after Mexican food, that’s the first thing I’m making in my new apartment with my friend.

2
rockchalkjhawker•

So great you're doing this. I was homeless in Johnson Co. for months.

4
chucktits33OP•

Was it easy for you in JoCo? It seems like there were a lot of churches and charities to help, but not everyone wants to go to them. I’m new to this, so any info is helpful.

Edit: not a Jayhawks fan, but we can agree to disagree

3
rockchalkjhawker•

Not if you're single. I lived in my car for a long time before finally getting some transitional housing help.

3
chucktits33OP•

I’m assuming you’re a male? I hear that a lot. Actually hear it from single, without child females too. Even going to a battered womens’ shelter. It’s a shame that men don’t get the help they need when there’s open beds or food available.

3
rockchalkjhawker•

Nope, female.

3
rockchalkjhawker•

Well if you're a Chiefs fan, it's all good.

2
chucktits33OP•

Yeah, fuck the patriots. I’m still pissed.

2
geekymutt•

Not in KC but as a suggestion,
spud, beef chunks, peppers, onions, garlic, celery carrots cooked until tender and stew like is a great cold weather food, and so is beer cheese soup with spicy sausage (the alcohol actually boils off but leaves a nice flavor behind)

4
chucktits33OP•

Thanks! I thought about asking local butchers for “extra” meat or bones for soup. What you described sounds awesome!

3
geekymutt•

No sweat, I know what I like when its cold and I'm sleeping in the car or in a tent. Some hunters or the highway patrol might offer up some venison too, check with them, oh and game processing plants, ranchers too, if its for the homeless you may luck out and get a load of good stuff to help.

5
LittleHouseNoPrairie•

This is a very nice thing for you to do. Your beef veg soup sounds good. After reading the comments about lactose intolerance, suggestions I have are chicken noodle (chicken, veggies, egg noodles, seasonings, chicken broth), chili (lots of good recipes out there to choose from), minestrone (elbow mac, veggies, beans, seasonings- there are good recipes online for different types), or you can maybe do a spaghetti dinner with meatballs or salad on the side. I think offering the burritos is a great idea as well. Stay warm.

4
feelingmyage•

OMG, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean that I was homeless. I just thought to give an example of what I like. You are a very kind person .

3
chucktits33OP•

Thanks and thanks. Kind opinions appreciated.

3
pinkshowerwater•

Bless you for doing this.

I like beef stew or tomato soup. Black bean is also very nice or swiss chard soup with grated romano cheese.

The burrito thing is a great idea. Some people are also fond of ham and cabbage soup.

3
chucktits33OP•

I’ve never tried cabbage and ham, nor the Swiss chard. These sound delicious! Thank you!

5
pinkshowerwater•

Oh, its delicious! The swiss chard especially. Also, Italian wedding soup is pretty cost effective. Also, going to link you a soup that I frequently make: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/80773/russian-mushroom-and-potato-soup/

4
LittleMissSpoopiness•

Broccoli and Cheddar or Tomato Bisque. Some places sell tomato bisque for cheap, like grocery stores and such. Maybe even gas stations that sell food.

3
chucktits33OP•

Well, I would make it myself. Maybe when I get a good crop of tomatoes this summer, I can can or dry them for bisque. I try to make 5 gallons at a time. Lots of people to feed

3
LittleMissSpoopiness•

Ah my mistake, I misread your post and thought you yourself we homeless but that is an even better idea! Broccoli and cheese soup or a chicken noodle would be good for the winter, Especailly in a large batch.

3
Mstycan•

Love broccoli cheddar but my fave is V8 soup its just cooked hamburger, vegetables, and a giant thing of V8 soup. Really good with butter bread. Great when its cold and when you're sick.

3
noomtube101•

Super nice of you. I'm like 10 hours away in Minneapolis. :( Wish I could come though. I love soup.

3
forestcellar•

I developed a soup when I was taking care of my father who couldn't keep weight on. The base was herb de provence with chicken broth and cream of chicken. I used a bean and grain soup mix as well as chicken and ham steak. Then I put in a lot of potatoes and other vegetables. The idea was to concentrate as much nutrients per bite as I could get.

I thought the soup was very filling and flavorful. I miss that soup, especially when I eat cold soup out of the can now.

3
chucktits33OP•

That sounds really good and really filling. Wish I could send you some hot soup!

3
[deleted]•

[deleted]

3
Hidden-Atrophy•

I love Chili. Warm and hearty with a little spice. Southwestern corn chowder and potato soup are great as well.

2
chucktits33OP•

Corn chowder is something I’ve been wanting to make, but all recipes I find use fresh corn. People don’t really want soup when corn is in season. I suppose I could make it in the summer and freeze it, but I’m afraid it would get freezer burnt, and I would end up filling my freezer with gallons of soup!

1
ChurroMom_2018Homeless•

I definitely second chili. I would kill a man for my dad’s homemade chili (not literally, I’ve got a dog who would be in a shelter if I do anything illegal, and I promised him he’d never see the inside of one... unless we go in to someday get him a sibling). It’s perfect, don’t make it too spicy, because some people might not be able to take it. But it’s nice and thick and filling, and the ingredients are dirt cheap (tomato products and beans, and the veggies my dad put in it weren’t expensive either), and if the beef (my dad always put beef/venison, and pork) is too expensive, then you can put chicken or pork, which is cheaper than beef.

2
LittleHouseNoPrairie•

Was thinking about this post today and how nice it was of you to do what you did. I hope everything went well and you had a good turnout and your efforts helped keep some people warm for a little while. :)

1