WALTHAMSTOW: Soup kitchen for homeless on the brink (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAMSTOW: Soup kitchen for homeless on the brink

11:25am Friday 16th December 2011 in Waltham Forest News By Daniel Binns

WALTHAMSTOW: Homeless soup kitchen's Xmas appeal for funds

A CHRISTMAS tradition of helping those who have fallen on hard times could be at risk in Waltham Forest due to funding cuts and new rules on vehicle emissions.

Christian Kitchen has run a mobile soup kitchen in the borough for twenty years, which has provided a vital nourishment for the homeless and destitute.

But it will be forced to shut the nightly service down next month unless it can find £20,000 to convert its van when the Low Emmisions Zone is expanded.

Demand for the group’s support has risen since The Village Drop In meal service at the Trinity United Reformed Church in Orford Road, Walthamstow, closed in October after £10,000 annual funding was axed as part of council cuts.

Kitchen co-ordinator Norman Coe said the service was needed more than ever.

He added: "It is a shock to see how the numbers of homeless people have has increased in recent years locally.

"On a typical night we'll get between 50 to 70 people, who will usually be a mix of the homeless and those who have accommodation but are struggling to pay the bills and buy food.

"But it's also important as a value statement. These people are often marginalised but this shows others do care about them.

"It's especially important at Christmas as this time of year brings back memories of better times to many and can make them feel very sad."

Currently the low emission rules only apply to lorries and trucks, but from January 3 vans and minibuses will also be included, with owners having to pay a minimum £100 charge if they meet basic standards.

A Transport for London (TfL) spokesman said the changes to the rules were being introduced to deter the most polluting vehicles from driving in the capital following concerns about the health effects of poor air quality.

It has offered to help advise charities on how they can adapt at the lowest possible cost and says the charges to vans and minibuses were delayed for 15 months to give community groups extra time to prepare.

To donate, send a cheque made payable to 'Christian Kitchen', c/o Forest YMCA, 642 Forest Road, Walthamstow, E17 3EF. You can also drop off donations of tinned and dried food to the YMCA reception.

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Twitter

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Facebook