Come to The Table

Tony and Vicki Harris have been on a journey that would change their lives, seeing Tony giving away all their money and most of his clothes. It led them to start a group that would feed up to 50 people six nights a week during the height of the pandemic.

“I was working on a good wage, and I said, I’m going to stand in town and give everything away...”

It was Vicki Harris’ birthday in 2019; she and her husband, Tony, drove into Gravesend. Tony was looking for Vlad, a Russian he’d met who was sleeping rough in the town. Tony had promised Vicki he wouldn’t invite Vlad back to their house until they knew more about him.

But when he found Vlad, he wasn’t looking good. Tony said: “I just wanted to give him some comfort.” Knowing Tony as I do now, I know how this story will end. 

Vlad and Tony talked for a while when Vlad rolled onto one side and said, “I just wish I could get some comfort.” Those eight words triggered the moment that was to change their lives. Vlad wouldn’t be the last homeless person to stay with the Harrises. Prompted by his meeting with Vlad, Tony started 'The Table'.

The remainder of this interview with Tony and Vicki Harris on my blog.

Visitors and volunteers gather around The Table in Gravesend town centre. This is a space on the street just like any other, but it has become home to a community. New Road, Gravesend, UK.

Visitors and volunteers gather around The Table in Gravesend town centre. This is a space on the street just like any other, but it has become home to a community. New Road, Gravesend, UK.

Some people don't have the means to reheat the food, so they'll eat it as soon as they can. But the food is often not that warm.

Some people don't have the means to reheat the food, so they'll eat it as soon as they can. But the food is often not that warm.

Regular volunteer Warren sets up The Table in New Road, Gravesend. The local Council haven't always been supportive of their presence in the centre of the town. Local bylaws allow for a picnic on public land, which Tony insists is what's happening he

Regular volunteer Warren sets up The Table in New Road, Gravesend. The local Council haven't always been supportive of their presence in the centre of the town. Local bylaws allow for a picnic on public land, which Tony insists is what's happening here.

Visitors to The Table wait for their bags of food.

Visitors to The Table wait for their bags of food.

Tony Harris has known many of the visitors for years. He chats over a cup of tea with one of the regular visitors.

Tony Harris has known many of the visitors for years. He chats over a cup of tea with one of the regular visitors.

Tony Harris, founder of the community project, The Table, sets up for another evening serving food and supporting those in need.

Tony Harris, founder of the community project, The Table, sets up for another evening serving food and supporting those in need.

August 2021, Gravesend, Kent: Visitors chat over tea after collecting their food. Almost as important as the food, The Table is a place to meet, talk and connect with those in similar circumstances.

August 2021, Gravesend, Kent: Visitors chat over tea after collecting their food. Almost as important as the food, The Table is a place to meet, talk and connect with those in similar circumstances.

September 2021, Gravesend: As well as food, The Table receives donations of clothes for those who need them; two women discuss the options available.

September 2021, Gravesend: As well as food, The Table receives donations of clothes for those who need them; two women discuss the options available.

September 2021, Gravesend: The Table offers donated warm clothes as temperatures drop. A man holds a sweater against himself to judge the size.

September 2021, Gravesend: The Table offers donated warm clothes as temperatures drop. A man holds a sweater against himself to judge the size.

Warren, one of the regular volunteers, helps a man whose first language isn't English to understand a large number of letters he’s received from various authorities. Gravesend, Kent.

Warren, one of the regular volunteers, helps a man whose first language isn't English to understand a large number of letters he’s received from various authorities. Gravesend, Kent.

The Table meets in New Road, Gravesend. It's the main shopping street through the centre of the town. This means the group occasionally receives the unwanted attention of a minority of local residents, but the majority of passersby are supportive.

The Table meets in New Road, Gravesend. It's the main shopping street through the centre of the town. This means the group occasionally receives the unwanted attention of a minority of local residents, but the majority of passersby are supportive.

September 2021, Gravesend: Over the course of the pandemic, the demand for home food delivery has rocketed; Deliveroo announced orders have doubled in the first half of 2021. Meanwhile, the Trussell Trust reported an 89% increase in three-day parcels

September 2021, Gravesend: Over the course of the pandemic, the demand for home food delivery has rocketed; Deliveroo announced orders have doubled in the first half of 2021. Meanwhile, the Trussell Trust reported an 89% increase in three-day parcels given out by their food banks over the same period.

A couple make themselves a hot drink. Vicki Harris watches on.

A couple make themselves a hot drink. Vicki Harris watches on.

September 2021, Gravesend: Tony Harris sorts through donated shoes to find the right size for a young man visiting The Table.

September 2021, Gravesend: Tony Harris sorts through donated shoes to find the right size for a young man visiting The Table.

September 2021, Gravesend: Vicki Harris starts to pack food into their van at the end of a long evening serving. Often, for Vicki, volunteering at The Table comes at the end of a long day working at a local care home.

September 2021, Gravesend: Vicki Harris starts to pack food into their van at the end of a long evening serving. Often, for Vicki, volunteering at The Table comes at the end of a long day working at a local care home.

November 2021, Gravesend: Tony and Vicki Harris relax at home. Tony tells me about his ambitions for the future of The Table. He’d like to launch a drop-in centre for the homeless in the town. But, their commitment to The Table has taken a physical a

November 2021, Gravesend: Tony and Vicki Harris relax at home. Tony tells me about his ambitions for the future of The Table. He’d like to launch a drop-in centre for the homeless in the town. But, their commitment to The Table has taken a physical and mental toll on them.

Gary Singh Sandhu New, owner of Stone Willy's Pizza in Meopham, Kent. Stone Willy's regularly donates food and drink to The Table. Gary tells me he sees helping local projects, like The Table, as being part of the community.

Gary Singh Sandhu New, owner of Stone Willy's Pizza in Meopham, Kent. Stone Willy's regularly donates food and drink to The Table. Gary tells me he sees helping local projects, like The Table, as being part of the community.

Standing around The Table chatting and drinking tea can seem quite pleasant in the summer. As the temperature drops, the impending onset of winter is impossible to ignore.

Standing around The Table chatting and drinking tea can seem quite pleasant in the summer. As the temperature drops, the impending onset of winter is impossible to ignore.

By the end of the evening, most of the clothes have been found a new home.

By the end of the evening, most of the clothes have been found a new home.

October 2021. Meopham. Local takeaway, Stone Willy's Pizza in nearby Meopham, regularly donates food and drink to The Table. Gary Singh Sandhu New (right) and a colleague pack up boxes before being collected by Tony and Vicki.

October 2021. Meopham. Local takeaway, Stone Willy's Pizza in nearby Meopham, regularly donates food and drink to The Table. Gary Singh Sandhu New (right) and a colleague pack up boxes before being collected by Tony and Vicki.

October 2021, Gravesend: Vicki Harris waits on the phone to speak to NHS Direct. One of the men visiting The Table has fallen and injured himself. He struggles to express himself in English, so Vicki makes the call.

October 2021, Gravesend: Vicki Harris waits on the phone to speak to NHS Direct. One of the men visiting The Table has fallen and injured himself. He struggles to express himself in English, so Vicki makes the call.

November 2021, Gravesend, Kent: Food is delivered to the Harrises home from volunteers around the borough. Vicki Harris packs takeaway bags, trying to make them as varied as possible.

November 2021, Gravesend, Kent: Food is delivered to the Harrises home from volunteers around the borough. Vicki Harris packs takeaway bags, trying to make them as varied as possible.

December 2021, Gravesend: One of the visitors, Reg, suffers from a very painful back meaning he can’t stand for long; he takes a welcome break from The Table Christmas celebration.

December 2021, Gravesend: One of the visitors, Reg, suffers from a very painful back meaning he can’t stand for long; he takes a welcome break from The Table Christmas celebration.