I too notice more and more homeless folk (Letters, April 11). In Victorian times the churches gave help to those in need. Then came the welfare state. Now we are back to the churches again!

I have a list of free food all over the city provided mainly by the churches (not entirely of course and there is also the basic bank) We at the Edmund Kell Church for example offer soup and sandwhiches, tea and coffee every Monday lunchtime.

This is a wonderful experience as we are becoming a community of friendly cheerful people who are more and more helping to run the lunch club themselves.

We discuss everything from the practical problems of living on welfare to the questions of belief and philosophy. It is a privilege to know them.

BRENDA KNOPF, Southampton.