Feud for thought – ‘Rich and poor’ raise money at Rich Man Poor Man Meal
Published: 18 March 2010
by ANGELA COBBINAH
THE 100 diners had all paid £10 a head. But while 10 ate a sumptuous four-course meal with a choice of wines, the rest only had soup and bread.
Unfair? Absolutely! But the Rich Man Poor Man Meal at Our Lady of Hal RC church in Camden Town was held to highlight how 10 per cent of the global population control 90 per cent of the world’s wealth, leaving the rest with crumbs.
The names of the “rich” were picked out of a hat by parish Priest Father Dominic McKenna. As they tucked into their smoked salmon starters followed by stuffed chicken breasts, apple pie and cream, then cheeseboard with port, the “poor” were forced to sit in rows looking on.
The food was prepared and served by youngsters preparing to take their Confirmation in June. Smartly dressed in black and white, they hovered and fawned around the rich people’s table – as instructed.
More than £1,000 raised on the day will go towards furnishing a school based in Addo, near Port Elizabeth, South Africa. For its 45 pupils, school attendance is the only guarantee of a square meal for the day.
“Rich Man Poor Man Meal is to remind us all about the wealth gap that exists in our troubled world and how we can help do something about it,” said Father Dominic.