The generosity of people towards York’s homeless is truly heart-warming. The Salvation Army, Arc Light and other homeless hostels have been flooded with offers to donate food, Christmas meals and presents which will go to help those who are homeless this Christmas. Various social networking sites are encouraging people to come to York to hand out food on Christmas Day but what’s really needed and is most valued is help all year round.

Donations can be taken to Salvation Army, York Citadel or call 01904 545096 or to York Foodbank who welcome non perishable foods and toiletries, on 01904 781983 or visit http://york.foodbank.org.uk/

As usual at Christmastime, local services provide meals and support for the homeless. Carecent in York is providing a special lunch on Christmas Day, charity Never Give Up has New Years Day covered with festive food and staff in hostels will put on a spread and celebrate Christmas with residents. Presents have been donated and wrapped ready for giving too, and the city’s support agencies have been inundated with offers of help and donations.

There are only a small number of rough sleepers in York at the moment, none of whom need to be sleeping out as services offer emergency accommodation to everyone from November to February. Members of the public who are concerned about individuals sleeping rough can ring 0300 500 0194, a national helpline which then ask local agencies to respond.

Charities and council services which work with rough sleepers and homeless families welcome donations of non-perishable foods, alongside donations of toiletries and clothing. As many council services aim to support people into safer and more stable lifestyles in fixed accommodation, we make up home starter packs, so gifts of household cleaning products, dishcloths and tea-towels, or pots, pans, crockery and cutlery, bedding and towels are really welcome and make a huge difference, whatever the time of year.

Charles Malarkey from the Salvation Army York Citadel, said: “We understand that giving at Christmas is really important to people, so please, give to the homeless through the charities that work with them. We can use your money year round to provide good food and a warm clean bed, and to help homeless people get work and a home. Donated foods made up into hampers for people on their own or who’ve just moved into a home, can really bring a smile to their faces.

“Just this morning, I was out at 5.30am on my rounds and a window cleaner said we are doing a great job and that there was no one sleeping on the streets – and that’s because we rely on people giving to us, so we can help people off the streets.”

Jeremy Jones, Chief Executive of Arc Light, said: “It never ceases to amaze me how generous our supporters are at Christmas, and this year, for example, we had to close applications for volunteers to help at Christmas over a month ago. We often say that Christmas is just another day for the homeless, but when your life is standing still, everyday is a challenge and we hope that the plight of the homeless and what can be done to help, stays in people’s minds throughout the year. In increasingly harsh economic times we are needing to rely more and more on the warmth and generosity of the public for life’s day-to-day necessities. ”