Clapham homeless centre calls for donations of food and clothes during coronavirus pandemic
A centre for the homeless and vulnerable is appealing for support for its clients during lockdown – especially for food and clothes for the homeless.
The Ace of Clubs charity, in St Alphonsus Road, Clapham, founded by the Redemptorists, is a Monday to Friday safe space for the homeless and vulnerable, as well as offering welfare advice and friendship.
It is now offering takeaway hot meals for almost double its usual number of clients, and responding to urgent support needs – as it responds to the highest demand for its support in 25 years.
Centre manager Martin Reyes said: “Coronavirus is having a devastating impact on the most vulnerable people in our society, and we have had to adapt our services to meet the ever-changing and urgent needs of our clients.
“We have greatly increased the level of takeaway hot meals we provide and the demand continues to increase.
“Prior to lockdown we were averaging 100 meals per day, but this has now dramatically increased, and peaked at 160 daily meals last week.
“Ace is taking appropriate action at all times to ensure infection prevention when guests come to collect food, and our clients are considerately queuing and
respecting social distancing outside the centre.
“In addition to foodstuffs, we are also asking for donations of underwear, socks, sleeping bags, clothing, blankets and toiletries to meet our clients’ needs.
“Now, more than ever, we will be relying upon the support of our local community to continue to provide our much-needed services that safeguard the well-being of the most vulnerable in our community.”
Centre chef Clifton Millington said: “It is uplifting to be able to continue our work here at Ace. All foodstuffs donations are welcome and the kitchen always needs rice, pasta, tinned tomatoes and most urgently plastic takeaway containers and takeaway carrier bags.”
The centre receives no statutory funding and has always operated with a small number of dedicated staff, helped by a team of valued volunteers and the goodwill of the wider community.
For further details about how to make donations please call centre manager Martin Reyes on 020 7720 2811 or click here.
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