THE CHRISTIAN Kitchen served its 15,000th person of the year, this week, as London Assembly Member Jenette Arnold donned an apron to help out.

In the heart of Walthamstow, every night, scores of homeless people gather for a hot meal and a friendly face as the service continues to feed the vulnerable.

On Wednesday, the van which has been seen as a shining light by those most needy, parked in its usual spot in Mission Grove and began serving.

But this time, its newest patron was lending a helping hand.

Christian Kitchen was founded about 25 years ago, but it has fed more and more people every night in recent years.

The kitchen receives no finding and is run by individuals from the borough, and relies on donations from individuals, churches and schools.

The Christian Kitchen successfully fought off an attempt by Waltham Forest Council to move it from Walthamstow Town Centre to a slip road on the North Circular Road in a high court action in 2013.

Norman Coe, the Christian Kitchen co-ordinator said: “The fact that we have fed so many people this year shows the great demand for the service that we provide. We will continue to try to meet this great need in our local community.”