Charity's plea for help as it runs out of food

MORE HOMELESS PEOPLE SEEK ASSISTANCE AT SUPPORT CENTRE

- By GEORGE PALMER-SOADY

A VITAL Nottingham charity that provides hot meals to homeless people says “things are the worst they've ever been” as it faces empty shelves.

Emmanuel House has supported homeless and vulnerable people across the city for almost 50 years, providing hot dinners, showers, clothing and shelter from its drop-in centre on Goose Gate in Hockley.

The charity runs a breakfast and lunch service every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, where people who would otherwise go hungry are served a nutritious and filling meal.

Emmanuel House also offers vital advice, opportunities and company to vulnerable people in a bid to help improve their futures.

But the charity says its stock of essential food items which makes up these meals is barer than ever before.

Some shelves once occupied by food staples such as baked beans and tinned vegetables now sit empty as the number of people relying on the charity's services increase.

The charity's chief executive, Denis Tully, has worked at the centre for nine years and says shortages in certain food items are at an all-time low. “Whenever we've run out, it’s always been a bit ‘just in time’ and someone will run up to the local supermarket to buy enough just to get us over,” he said.

“Usually the donations we receive through harvest and Christmas will last us the whole year - this year is the first year when that’s not been the case. When we provide food, it isn’t just about feeding people who are hungry, it’s about providing nutrition.