BUSINESSES have been urged to get behind a Keighley food kitchen which is providing meals every week for deprived people.

Baraka Community Kitchen, run by local volunteers from the charity SKT Welfare, has been up and running at the Sangat Centre, in Marlborough Street, for 18 months.

It offers food to needy people every Friday evening, serving those who attend the centre in person and delivering meals to other people in their homes.

Volunteer Shazad Ismail said: "Our own families make the food and we operate a rota system to ensure there's always enough people around to help each week.

"We've been going for about a year and a half now, but are aware there could still be families out there who aren't aware this service exists.

"We want them to know that we're here, and that if they're having a tough time they have somewhere to come, get a meal and socialise.

"And if they can't find employment we can direct them to people who can help.

"We're here from 5pm to 8pm every Friday, and haven't missed a single session since we started.

"We do need support from local businesses. If they have left over food which would otherwise be thrown away we would appreciate that. It could benefit a lot of people.

"Anyone who wants to help us out by volunteering is welcome to come along. There are many people out there who are vulnerable and love coming to us each Friday. This is a very good cause."

He was supported by one of the founding members of the community kitchen, Amjad Zaman, who added: "We would always welcome help from anyone, whether its financial or by them volunteering their time.

"And we want our users to know that we're always here for them, week in, week out."

Andrew Qutbudeen Deighton, who has also been at the kitchen since it was launched, says on average it sees roughly a dozen diners attending each week, though delivers additional meals to people who can't attend in person.

At one of the most recent meals at the Sangat Centre, the charity served a main course of pasta and chicken followed by a dessert of cake and custard.

Mr Deighton said: "We tend to see the same regular faces each week, though sometimes we'll have a couple of new people who eat here once or twice before disappearing again.

"It does ebb and flow and there will be some weeks where we're really busy.

"We organise via social media and usually do have enough people turning up to help serve the meals. All our funding comes from donations."

Businesses willing to support the initiative through donations or sponsorship, or individuals wishing to come forward as volunteers should call 07403 035620 or 07786 545260 for more details.