THE team behind Belfast's only soup kitchen last night said they are "eternally grateful" to those who have made donations in recent days.
Paul McCusker, who co-founded St Patrick's Soup Kitchen in April 2017 with Fr Dominic McGrattan, the former parish priest at St Patrick's Church, said without donations from the public the service would cease to exist.
As reported in The Irish News yesterday, the soup kitchen has gone from serving around 20 meals a weekend two years ago to more than 200.
As well as the soup kitchen the facility, which opens from 7pm to 11pm on Friday and Saturday nights, also includes a food bank and a clothes bank.
The facility is not only used by those living on the streets but families who have found themselves on the breadline due to changes in benefits, pensioners struggling to survive alone and those battling addictions.
Speaking to the Irish News last night, Mr McCusker said the team who run the service, which consists of around 50 volunteers, are "eternally grateful" to all those who make donations to the soup kitchen.
"Donations are vital to what we do in the soup kitchen," he said.
"We need to ensure people are getting what they need. We rely heavily every weekend on people donating food. Without people donating, we would not exist, we would have to close.
"Ever since we opened, people have been heavily committed and have been very kind to the soup kitchen when we do food drives or appeals and we hope that will continue.
"People have been very supportive from early morning (yesterday). We have been receiving calls from people about donations and how they can volunteer.
"The need is there and we have to continue to support people who are in poverty and homeless".
The homeless support worker said the soup kitchen was in particular need of non-perishable food, toiletries and items for babies including nappies and baby food.
"Any kind of food or clothing would be very helpful for people," he said.
"It can be dropped off any Friday or Saturday night at the soup kitchen.
"People are welcome to come down and see what we do. So, do call in and see the project".
He added: "We are eternally grateful to everyone who donates. Whatever they give will go to a good use to a person or family who need it.
"It helps motivate the volunteers when there is help and encouragement from the community. We can continue to do the work".
