A Swindon homelessness charity is calling on the community to assist them in their bid to help vulnerable people this Christmas.
Christmas Care Swindon is hosting a donation day this weekend for short-life shelf food as it prepares to feed those in need throughout the festive period.
People can donate food between 10am and 2pm on Sunday, December 22 at The Haven, Queens Drive, which is opposite the Burger King by the Magic Roundabout.
The Haven will then act as a drop-in day centre for homeless and isolated people in the Swindon area over Christmas.
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Carrie Baker is a member of the charity's committee and has been helping to feed the homeless for over a decade.
Carrie said: "It is critical that people in need have somewhere to turn. Other charities rightly close down over Christmas as that is the only time they take off every year, so we step and fill the gap.
"It is important to make sure the homeless are helped all year round."
The charity will be open for guests between 9am and 5.30pm every day from Christmas Eve until Saturday, December 28, including on Christmas Day.
They are also open for a shorter period on Sunday, December 29 from 9am until 3pm.
2 free hot meals will be served each day using food donated by the public, as well as a variety of snacks and hot drinks throughout the day.
Carrie said: "We offer a full English breakfast in the morning and a hot lunch in the afternoon, including a Christmas dinner and we also offer other meals such as curry depending on what donations we get."
Christmas Care has already begun gathering supplies, with donations of food with longer shelf life accepted from the public last weekend.
"Our first donation day was on Saturday, December 14 for longer-lasting food, where we received really good support from the community."
Looking ahead to Sunday's donation day, the charity are asking for "anything that is fresh", including sausages, bacon, eggs, butter, milk, carrots and of course some festive sprouts.
To read more about Christmas Care and to donate, click here.
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