A WEYMOUTH charity that helps to support homeless people has expressed its gratitude for donations received this year.

Soul Food, which offers food, clothing and support for the homeless and those left vulnerable, currently deals with 25 to 30 people a week.

Angie Barnes, from Soul Food, said they had been ‘unbelievably’ lucky in terms of the generosity they had experienced.

She said: “The guys would be extremely hungry if it wasn’t for all the wonderful donations we’ve had.

“Thanks to the generosity of the general public we were able to give them a big black bag full of presents.

“We’ve been really, really lucky this year.

“The donations have been unbelievable.”

The donations have been well-received by an increasing number of users, according to Angie.

She said: “During the course of the year overall I would say yes numbers have risen.

“Numbers are slightly down over the last couple of weeks because we have had our first death already, which has hit everybody hard. Come January I don’t doubt we will have a few more deaths.

“January through to March we normally get several.

“It would be a lot more if it wasn’t for a facility like Soul Food and the soup runs that run throughout the year.”

Soul Food operates from The Prayerhouse, on Newstead Road, four times a week. This includes Monday and Wednesday evenings 7pm-9pm, Thursday mornings 10am-12pm and Friday mornings 9.30am-11.30am.

Angie said: “Thursdays and Fridays are a tad busier because this time of year once you’re in your sleeping bag you stay there. It’s a dreadful time of year for the guys.

“Without that volunteer team there, we just wouldn’t be able to provide the service we have been doing.”

The group relies on public donations of food, clothing and furniture and is always in need of any contributions.

To make a donation please call Angie Barnes on 07921 905347.