HEART-RENDING tales of poverty-stricken Keighley people have prompted three charities to team up for a new project.

The groups are providing hot soup for people on low incomes at a Keighley community centre.

Organisers are appealing for help from people so they can expand the service and reach more families and pensioners in need.

The Welcome Project, Sunflower Allotment Society and Keighley Volunteer Centre recently united to open the cafe three times a week at the Temple Row Centre. Volunteers make fresh soup on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Welcome Place Cafe.

Shona Grange, from the Welcome Project, said the scheme was set up in response to reports of people living in poverty in and around Keighley due to low income, lack of job opportunities, food and fuel bills.

She added: “We know some older people who sit in the shopping centre or ride round on buses all day because they can’t afford to heat their homes, and people going without proper food.

“We also have high rates of health-related problems because people don’t have access to fresh, healthy food.”

Mrs Grange said she had also been influenced by a recent Keighley News report of a job seeker who walked six miles round trip to sign on and search for jobs.

Mrs Grange said the Welcome Project – which runs self-help groups in the Keighley area – realised help was needed immediately. She added: “We already have some retired people growing food in Keighley, but with additional help and a polytunnel, they could grow much more.

“We need volunteers willing to help grow vegetables or prepare the vegetables, to cook and serve soup or bake cakes, and those who may grow vegetables at home and end up with a surplus to donate them.”

Mrs Grange said the cafe would make no distinction between people who wanted to eat a healthy lunch and could afford to make a donation and those in food poverty.

She added: “That way nobody need feel uncomfortable about coming down to eat if they are hungry and struggling.

“We also hope it will be a homely place so people can chat, keep warm on cold days and also have access to the internet.”

Anyone wishing to support the cafe project should contact Mrs Grange on 07412 107921. Call at the cafe or visit welcomeproject.org.uk if you would like to provide financial support.