IT is food glorious food which is bringing Yuletide cheer to Southampton’s poor and homeless.
This table laden with cans of food is the golden-hearted response to an appeal by the Lordswood Community Choir which has been pulling out all the stops to make sure the needy get a Christmas meal.
It comes at a time when an increasing number of people are turning to food banks and looking for a roof over their heads.
The 45-strong chorus was launched after being inspired by the TV reality show, The Choir.
It is among many community choirs which have sprung up across the country following the runaway success of conductor Gareth Malone’s famous Military Wives.
Now in the true spirit of Christmas, the Lordswood songsters have been directing their latest community efforts towards filling the shelves of the Southampton Basics Bank which distribute free food and clothes.
Their Christmas concert, which was also in support of the city’s homeless charity, The Society of St James, played to a packed audience at Oakwood Primary School.
Admission was free but the audience were asked to donate tins of food.
Choir organiser Peter Short said: “Neighbours and friends were very generous with their contribution of food to the Basics Bank. To be honest we lost count of how many bags people brought.
“But it certainly tested the suspension on choir members Don and Zena Hutton’s car to transport it all to the food bank.”
Lordswood Community Choir
The raffle and donations raised a further £240 for The Society of St James.
According to the charity’s website that could provide 5,500 cups of coffee, the opportunity for 60 people to attend a sports session and transport for a month for someone on a work placement.
Since it was founded in 1996, the pioneering Basics Bank has been giving free food and clothes to those in need in Southampton.
The Basics Bank works with its referral agents to provide emergency food and clothes for those who fall through the gaps in the benefit net.
The Society of St James provides accommodation and support to more than 1,000 people.
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