A CHARITY for the homeless faced with eviction has had its prayers answered by a church which offered it a new base.

Christian Kitchen which provides meals for 50 people sleeping rough every night has been using the kitchen at Branches Hostel in Forest Road, Walthamstow, for four years.

Chairman of the charity Norman Coe was told by the hostel last month that it needed the kitchen for culinary activities. He feared the charity, which runs entirely on donations, would have to close.

After the plight was raised in the Guardian, members of St Michael and All Angels Church in Northcote Road in Walthamstow came to the rescue.

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Volunteers Norman Coe, Alice Santos, Tommy Anderson and David Little handing out food to homeless people.

Mr Coe, 70, of Blackhorse Road in Walthamstow, said: “The church have very kindly said we can use their kitchen and we’re so grateful to them.

“I was delighted when they told me and I had to go in to look at it just to believe it because it’s quite a big ask.

“When I told the homeless people we were losing our kitchen they were very concerned. Now they are relieved and we’re happy we have overcome this obstacle.

“Obviously we have to move everything from the other kitchen and we will have challenges but it’s a fresh start for us.”

Christian Kitchen, which has been providing hot meals for homeless people in Walthamstow for 25 years, runs 365 days a year.

During the winter months when Forest Churches Emergency Night Shelter is in operation the charity feeds around 30 people every night. During the summer months when the shelter is closed that number increases to 50.

Jackie Middlemiss, of Walpole Road in Walthamstow, has been a member of the congregation at St Michael and All Angels Church since she was baptised at six weeks’ old.

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Father Alex Summers of St Michael and All Angels Church in Northcote Road, Walthamstow.

The 70-year-old who looks after the church’s lettings approached Father Alex Summer to get permission to offer their cooking facilities to Christian Kitchen.

She said: “When I saw the story in the Guardian I immediately went to Father Summers and said we can help Christian Kitchen.

“It’s no trouble for us whatsoever. Our kitchen is only used for events but it’s free every evening.

“We love to help people everywhere but especially in our own parish and it’s doing our bit for the homeless people so we’re happy we are able to help.”

Members Waltham Forest Trades Council held a protest on Thursday April 27 in Buxton Road in Walthamstow where volunteers distribute meals.

Tommy Anderson, a member of the trades council, said: “This is an outrage. Long before giving notice, Branches should have worked with the council to provide another kitchen.

“Just because people are homeless they should still be treated with dignity.”

For more information about Christian Kitchen click here.

Branches Hostel has been contacted for a comment.