VOLUNTEERS from a homeless project have praised people in the community for supporting them in their mission to feed the homeless and vulnerable.

Three volunteers have taken over running the Worcester Street Cafe after previous organiser Sharon Multani stepped down.

The new managers are Nic Driscoll, Gemma Scott and Kylie Kelly. 

READ MORE: Homeless shelters to open their doors tonight as cold weather hits Worcestershire

Kylie Kelly said: “We have been inundated with donations of blankets, tins of food and home cooked meals, we have even received donations of freezers and insulated pans to store meals.

“We have had supporters sending us the money they would normally spend on Christmas cards, a number of schools fundraising for us and children using their own money to buy blankets. It is overwhelming.

“A commercial gazebo was donated by the Holt Fleet after ours broke and we got drenched whilst out feeding our guys.

“Now we can make sure our guys get fed whatever the weather.

“People often don’t realise that we are not actually a ‘cafe;’ we work on the street supporting our hungry, lonely and vulnerable friends in rain, frost and snow.”

Four nights a week the project sets up tables in Copenhagen Street and give out hot drinks, freshly cooked meals and puddings, cooked by volunteers or donated by local businesses such as Greggs.

Mrs Kelly added: “We are so so grateful to our wonderful volunteers. We are completely reliant on donations and fundraising, and we make sure every single penny goes back to the homeless community. We want to send out a huge thanks to everyone who gets involved and supports us. We really couldn’t do it without them.”

Worcester street cafe operates from 7pm Monday to Thursday. Volunteers say they feed up to 40 homeless and vulnerable people every night and also distribute warm clothing and signpost rough sleepers to professional organisations who can offer further help and advice.