Hope Kitchen was founded and continues to run on Christian principles, while welcoming people from all faiths (or no faith) and all walks of life.

The charity was established in 2009 by a group of friends who were motivated by their experiences as well as that of others they knew. They noticed there was a number of people in Oban, including the homeless, people with alcohol & drug addictions and mental health issues, who needed a safe place where they could get food, shelter and be made to feel welcome.

Originally, volunteers served food using the Oban Salvation Army premises until independent premises were secured in 2013. Between 2013-2016, the work of the charity expanded so much that Hope Kitchen required much larger premises to cope with the demand on the services offered, including the skills and crafts activities, availing themselves of the local agencies which came to Hope Kitchen, and the daily meals provided.

In mid-2017, Hope Kitchen relocated into new premises. The space underwent much refurbishment to better suit our needs, including a much larger and new kitchen whereby food and hygiene training classes could be taught. Opening hours increased, along with the number of days open to meet the demand on the charity.

At the end of 2018, Green Shoots Community Garden was integrated in to Hope Kitchen as a major project, providing an excellent accompaniment to the charity's mission of growing a community where food, friendship and skills enable people to be empowered and inspired in body, mind and spirit.