Behind the doors of a Forest Hill church, a small army of volunteers gather each week to rustle up hot meals for the homeless in nearby districts.
The group, known as The Community Lunch Club, feed two-course meals to 150 people, who are sleeping rough or taking shelter in hostels, across Bromley, Catford and Sydenham.
Every Monday, Paula Walker-Litchmore leads the 25 volunteers, who prepare the food at New Testament Church of God Rehoboth, in Perry Rise, before driving around to hand out the dishes.
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Left to right: Chrovline Hayden, Paula Litchmore, 38, and Yvonne Quamina, 60.
The 37-year-old, who runs a care centre for vulnerable adults and youngsters at Park View Hotel in Bromley, told News Shopper: “I wanted to give back to my community.
“There are lots of homeless people out there suffering from mental health issues and substance abuse.
“They don’t think about their own personal needs. They forget about eating. All they think about is drugs and alcohol.
“I don’t want to give money to them. This way, I know that they are having something warm to eat.”
Left to right: Yvonne Quamina, 60, Leroy Graham and Marba Morris, 47.
Former secretary Mrs Walker-Litchmore and fellow volunteer Sharon McPherson, 45, set up the initiative last March, after the church was asked to help combat food poverty among homeless people in the area.
Funded by church donations, they began providing hot dishes to just 30 homeless people across the community.
The Community Lunch Club has appealed for more volunteers and donations to help them to expand even further.
Mrs Walker-Litchmore added: “Even just a bag of rice can help us.
“We just want to help these people to get back on their feet.”
She said the group hopes to dish up around 300 meals each week by the end of this year and has begun hosting a soup social on Friday evenings.
The scheme also helps homeless people access employment, education and training opportunities.
Mrs Walker-Litchmore said the generosity of local businesses had been overwhelming since the lunch club began.
For more information on how to volunteer or donate call: Mrs Walker-Litchmore on 07946 354617 or Ms McPherson on 07972 048774.
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