‘Free meals for homeless’ cafe in London’s East End at risk as donations dry up

Hosna, a volunteer at the Canvas, has a drink at the cafe which gives free meals to refugees and the homeless. Photograph: Jo Thorne

The founder of a London social enterprise that gives free meals to refugees and the homeless has said it is at risk of closure because the cost of living crisis has led to a collapse in sales and donations.

Ruth Rogers, the founder of The Canvas in the East End of London, said there had been a dramatic collapse in trade in its cafe in recent weeks, with takings so low that one day she thought its tills were broken.