A Belfast food bank has launched its Christmas appeal as demand for their services reach new highs.
The People's Kitchen, based at 1 Antrim Road in North Belfast, are hoping to help the city's homeless and those who find themselves struggling amid the cost of living crisis this festive season.
The charity began life in 2017 as St Patrick's Soup Kitchen, with volunteers serving warm drinks and sandwiches from a trolley in a doorway, but has since grown to operating seven days a week as the need in the city increased further.
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They are now beginning to gather up donations as part of their Christmas appeal, and are calling for help from anyone who is able to. Items they're calling for include non-perishable foods such as soups, sleeping bags, clothes, as well as any festive treats including toys for children.
Damian McNairney from The People's Kitchen told Belfast Live that demand for their services has been growing in recent months as the weather begins to get colder.
"Over the last few months demand has escalated, and we're really only still in the foothills of winter, the worst months are yet to come. There are hard times ahead," he added.
"We're seeing queues right around the building onto the Antrim Road, and last Friday we gave out 100 food parcels in one day to families and people in need. Demand on the street is increasing too, with more and more people facing Christmas on the street.
"There's people our striking to get a decent wage. We've had nurses coming in having to use our food bank recently.
"The community has been very good with donations in the past and keeping the scheme going. We're asking people to kindly give again this year.
"We know things are very difficult for people all around, but donations if people are financially able to would be greatly appreciated. We're happy for whatever people can contribute.
"Non-perishable foods, clothes, hats, scarves, sleeping bags, and toys in particular, it can be very hard for kids around this time. Families are scrambling to get food on the table, so they're all extras that may be above people's budgets at this time of year."
West Belfast comedian, Nuala McKeever, is supporting The People's Kitchen and their Christmas appeal. She said she is more than happy to help the charity, describing the current situation as "dire."
She said: "My take on it is it's fantastic what The People's Kitchen are doing, we need it and in place of government policy this is what we're having to do. Ordinary people, as ever, those who have the least, helping those who have even less.
"I would say to the people who make policy: try living on the salaries of normal people. There's a certain attitude that seems to still persist in our society that if people are in bad straits, somehow it's some moral failing on their part.
"You see people sleeping rough or doing drugs and people think they've failed in some way. I think this winter in particular will demonstrate how many, let's say "ordinary people", are going to be facing those sort of choices.
"It's not something only relevant for some people. If the people who make policy had to live in the same way most people do, they'd be in the same position then they may implement policy that doesn't create people as collateral damage.
"It's horrendous at the minute. There are people who used to help us and donate who are now coming in and asking if they can get help."
Donations to The People's Kitchen can be dropped off at their base at 1 Antrim Road, Belfast, or donations can be made through their website here.
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