Recent Work

Sunday 13th October 2024

We thought we would arrive early tonight, thinking we could set up before people started queuing. Unfortunately, it appears they arrived early to avoid the long queue. As we pulled our full van in, we could already see about 50 people. We could feel the chill, so we started the night by serving home-made soup, and it really did help warm people up.

Once our team were all set up, people worked their way along the tables, those with homes were given items they could take home and prepare meals with, those without took away sandwiches, pastries, snacks and sweet treats, but everyone was provided a hot meal, dessert and hot drinks.

We overheard an individual talking to his other street homeless friends and telling them that he had been accessing our services for the last 8 years and how important and how much he appreciated our support. Another young man we used to come across in our early years as he slept in a doorway. We wouldn’t disturb him, we would cover him with an extra blanket and leave him a bag of food, as we hadn’t seen him for a while, we spoke to him as to how he was and how things were. He stated he’s been in and out of hospital, but due to his mental health, he chooses to be homeless as there are certain aspects of life he finds difficult to cope with, making us feel a little sad. We will never judge him and provide him with support for as long as he requires.

We were hoping to see our friend who was struggling last week, and we provided a hotel bed, but he didn’t show up. He’s in our hopes that all is well, and he was given the support he needed.

A gentleman recently housed after several years. We were asked to provide furniture and appliances for his new home. Again he visited us, telling us he finally plumbed his washing machine in at long last, and he jokingly said he washed everything and how lovely it felt to have and wear clean clothes. We don’t often see this gentleman smile, but he was smiling tonight.

What did make us smile was, 4 weeks ago we paid for 2 nights for an individual that had sadly lost his mum and become homeless. He made a special visit to come out and see us. He had finally been accommodated, he was so grateful for the respite we had provided him as it prepared him to continue persuing the help he needed. He felt it important to let us know his good news. He stated he would always keep us in his prayers. A really nice end to our night tonight.

Thank you to everyone that made our week possible.

Karen for all her support, and cooking a hearty chicken stew.

Thank you, Steve, for always supporting Homeless Hampers with food donations.

Thank you to Punjabi Heaven for the curry and rice.

Thank you to Leeds 11 Sikh temple for their Dhal, and vegetable curry.

Thank you to everyone that baked Elodie, Jo and Saul.

Kirsten, thank you for your delicious crumble and custard enjoyed by all.

Thank you to Sharon and everyone that donated cake and sandwiches.

Thank you to Helen for making 10 liters of home-made curried soup and mushroom soup tonight. The guys loved it.

Thank you to Sure Care North Nursing home for giving us a good start for the winter months and donating hats and gloves.

Thank you to Singh’s restaurants for their support every week and helping us support the hostels.

This week a special thank you to Menston Library for acting as our drop-off point and taking in some amazing donations from the Menston community of clothes, shoes, rucksacks and even much needed disposable plates and cutlery.

Thank you to all the supermarkets for their generous support, which helps us support the homeless hostels, food bank, community hubs, provide emergency food parcels and the support we offer on a Sunday night.

We ended up supporting 177 people tonight.

A special thank you to our amazing selfless volunteers for giving us their valuable time.

#ITSNICETOBENICE

Sunday 29th September 2024

We supported 182 people tonight. The guys constantly complained how cold the nights are getting; one individual kept repeating he can’t spend another winter on the streets, which makes us feel really helpless and sad for him. He’s on the waiting list to be rehoused, but nothing suitable has become available. We ensured he had warm clothes and an extra blanket. The sites we sometimes see are difficult all year around, but the winter really affects us; it’s dark, cold, and sometimes wet as we pack up at the end of the night and leave people behind sleeping in doorways and on cold pavements.

We always serve hot food, but tonight custard was back on the menu with cake and rhubarb crumble; the guys just love custard.

As expected, the volunteers in the van were constantly kept busy all night; lots of coats and hats were handed out tonight.

This week we paid for a hotel bed for an individual needing some respite off the streets. His mother passed away, and he’s not been in a good place, so he was so grateful to be given 2 nights in a hotel so he could have a hot shower and sleep in a warm bed. Sadly, this individual is newly homeless. Sadly, his mother’s passing led to his homelessness. He tends to find places to sleep during the day and stays awake all night as he feels unsafe on the streets. He visited the resource centre feeling well rested. Although we can’t give him a forever home, we can help with a bit more respite.

Tonight visited us; it took a bit of time to place him, but he jogged our memory as we supported him into a hotel during COVID, and he was then supported into a permanent home and returned to thank us for bettering his life and wants to repay us by becoming a Homeless Hampers volunteer. We really found this humbling.

This week we donated 2 TV’s, 2 microwaves, 2 vacuum cleaners, rugs, pots and pans, and bedding to 2 individuals recently rehoused.

We continued our support for the food banks. St Anne’s can continue to provide breakfast provision to our street homeless community, as again this week we continue to provide breakfast items, as well as soap powder, so the guys can wash their clothes and sleeping bags.

Our humble gratitude to:

Thank you to Catherine for cooking the chicken stew; always appreciated.

Thank you Sharon for the donation of cakes you support is always humbling.

As always, thank you to the Woods for donating pizza; the guys love your pizza. You have been supporting us for nearly two years.

Thank you to the Leeds 11 Sikh temple for supporting us with meals.

Thank you to Punjabi Heaven for donating chickpea curry, rice, and paneer wraps.

Thank you to Singh Restaurant for helping us support the homeless hostels and the B&B’s accommodating our homeless community.

Thank you to Kirsten for the delicious crumble.

Thank you, Janet, for donating buffet food sausages and bread rolls.

Thank you, Jessica, for the lasagna.

Thank you to Helen for donating supplement drinks and offering to make soup, which really is appreciated in the winter months.

A special thank you to Wakefield Street Kitchen for donating us creates of soft drinks, baby milk, and protein bars; they have pledged to continue supporting us; only working together can we make a difference.

We have had an incredible week of donations. Thank you to each of you. We have received much-needed food donations, clothes, and monetary support.

Tonight we had several news volunteers; we always ask how they found the night, and they all said it was a sad but rewarding experience.

If you want to give us your valuable time as a volunteer, please sign up via the following link; https://homelesshampers.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=580960a11a50db97377724695&id=5e63de69e2

Hampers

Sunday 8th September 2024

It seems a little strange to be saying after last week our numbers tonight remained at a steady 159. We suspect that some of our homeless friends chose to remain in their dryer location or in their tents.

Our team that walks around the city came across individuals that chose not to attend the static kitchen; they supported them with hot drinks and meals. They came across one individual in desperate need of a top, and as our team don’t take clothes around in the trolleys, one of our selfless volunteers had a couple of layers on, took off the top from his back and gave it to the gentleman in need. This is the reasons why we are so proud of all our selfless volunteers, and each and every one of them brings so much care and compassion to our charity.

With the numbers we are seeing, we do sometimes worry about the resources and the meals we can offer, and we see the same worry in the faces of the people queuing. We do our best to ensure no one goes away hungry, but we are seeing a lot of people from all backgrounds accessing our services. Due to early prison releases and no accommodation, things may get tougher.

It’s sad to see people with nothing arguing over clothing as they queue at our current well-stocked van, but things as they are we will run short.

This week not only did we provide breakfast items for the homeless breakfast club, we also provided washing powder so the homeless could wash their clothes.

This week provided hygiene packs into a men’s homeless shelter so men that newly arrive into the hostel have access to products to allow them to take a shower.

This week we supported 2 food banks with donations.

Who helped us make this week possible

A huge, heartfelt thank you to the Rethink Food Project for their generous donations of disposable cups, foil trays, and forks. Bread rolls, crisps, noodles, and a real treat of chocolate. We can’t tell you how perfect the timing of this donation is, as we really are running short of food donations. We are so grateful for the disposable cups and plates, as they are essential but also a big expense to the charity.

We would like to say a special thank you to Janet, a founder volunteer of Homeless Hampers, for making the above possible. Not only that, she made a personal donation of much-needed new joggers and hoodies; these are the items that keep our rough sleepers warm. We often offer jeans, but once these get wet on a day like today, the guys find it takes longer for them to dry out.

Thank you, Catherine, for providing hearty chicken casserol, which the guys loved.

As always, thank you to the Woods for donating pizza; the guys love your pizza. Thank you for all you do.

Thank you to the Leeds 11 Sikh temple for supporting us with meals; we really are blessed to have your support.

Thank you to Jo Pallan for providing sweet bags a real treat for the guys.

Again, thank you to Ramgarhia Board Sikh Temple Leeds for donating meals, including rice pudding, which the guys love.

Thank you to Punjabi Heaven for donating a curry and rice; your support is always appreciated.

Thank you to Singh Restaurant for helping us support the homeless hostels and the B&B’s accommodating our homeless community.

Jo Saul and Elodie for the lovely home-baked cakes.

Thank you to Penny for donating boxes of cake and bread. Your support really was really appreciated.

Thank you to all the supermarkets for donating us their surplus waste, as it helps us support a few hundred people each week.

Thank you to our team in Bradford for all their hard work with deliveries of food donations.

This week we have received donations of clothing, rucksacks, electric appliances, and TVs. We thank each and every one of you for all your kindness. We can’t do what we do without your support.

We are grateful to all volunteers for everything they do.

Team Hampers

Sunday 25th August 2024

We knew that we were in for a busy night as we were taking phone calls from 6.45 am from people stating they were homeless and they hadn’t eaten for a day or so. People continued to call us throughout the day, mentioning that St. George’s Crypt had directed them to seek support from our provision, as they couldn’t help. We supported 182 people with hot meals, desserts, pastries, and snacks. We provided 30 litres of hot drinks. We know our food queue is extremely long, and the guys cheer when they reach the front.

An exceptionally busy bank holiday evening , but our 21 volunteers were outstanding; their care and compassion shone, even though we were challenged at times. One such volunteer felt quite emotional tonight.

Hats off to our volunteers that worked out of the back of the van, they managed the clothing, toiletries, and other necessities required. During the week we stocked the van and all the boxes were packed to capacity, we came away with empty boxes. We never hand out tents, but we completely ran out of sleeping bags.

While we packed the van at the end of the evening, people continued to arrive to be fed, once we ran out, we ended up buying meal deals so no one goes away hungry.

Tonight we felt a colder and darker night creeping in, so winter will be with us soon, a tough time for us but a tougher time for our street homeless friends, and there are so many more than there were last year.

This week we helped 2 individuals with home support; we provided furniture and white goods. We so often walk into flats/houses where our homeless communities have been housed, with no furniture, appliances, or in a poor state. We came across a flat this week that is really dark and needs repairing and decorating. We will look into this individual’s flat. He has been homeless for 8 years and became homeless after losing his mother, and he just couldn’t cope with his loss. We will do what we can to make his new home brighter and cleaner, as knowing him for all these years, we can’t help feeling the need to help.

We are a small Yorkshire-based charity but have so many other charities and commissioned services tapping into us to support them.

This week we provided bedding and clothes and toiletries to homeless hostels in Bradford.

We provide food support to the Leeds and Bradford Homeless Hostels.

We worked with the local council to provide clean bedding to families living in poverty.

Homeless Hampers are privileged to support the community food hubs and food bank with food donations so we can provide hundreds of meals.

As always, we are thankful to.

Steve for cooking a spicy bean stew as well as donating non-perishable food.

Thank you to Sharon for buying 5 rucksacks, chocolate bars, and baking a cake for tonight. We are privileged to have you as part of the Homeless Hampers team.

Thank you to our team for the lovely, wholesome baking of cakes enjoyed by all.

Thank you, Catherine. We are really grateful for all your support. Your chicken stew went down a treat.

Thank you to the Leeds 11 Sikh temple for supporting us with meals every week and just as important donating much-needed disposable cups, containers, and cutlery

As always, thank you to Punjabi Heaven for donating chickpea curry and rice, which were really warm and enjoyed by all.

Thank you to Singh Restaurant for helping us support the homeless hostels and the B&B’s accommodating our homeless community.

Thank you to Liz and Mal for their generous donation of new rucksacks.

Thank you to everyone that donated to homeless hampers this week: clothes, some much-needed rucksacks, and again much-needed and appreciated food by us and our homeless community. Thank you to everyone that made a monetary donation. We can’t do what we do without your support.

As the nights turn colder, we are in need of

Mens waterproof winter coats, Mens smaller waist jeans, joggers, boxers, and socks, trainers. Nothing needs to be new, just clean and in reasonable condition. We and our homeless community are grateful for all your support.

Our final gratitude goes to our volunteers for making each week possible.

Sunday 11th August 2024

A really hot night and we know how difficult it was for the guys to queue, we arrived a tad earlier than usual to give ourselves plenty time to set up, unfortunately at this point there was already 50 plus in the queue. So the first thing we did was hand out ice cold water, which was received with smiles and a welcomed relief by the guys.

Lots people asking for clean clothes in particular boxer shorts and fresh socks, wipes and deodorants so this could wipe their skin with baby wipes and freshen and cool themselves with deodorant. Another big ask for tonight was rucksack so they could carry their belongings, but these are few and far between so we run out as soon as we get them.

We ran out of hot food tonight but had plenty of sandwiches and snacks for people to take away.

The team on foot with our trolleys started off quite and assumed they were in for a quiet night, but they were soon overwhelmed and supported 47 people. At the static kitchen we supported 110 another evening of high attendances.

Who else did we support this week:

We offered 4 people support with items with their new homes, we donated a cooker, 4 TV,s, pots and pans, rugs and small furniture. Gives us hope seeing the once homeless building their new homes.

We have continued funding our support for the homeless breakfast club, so the homeless receive a breakfast at St Anne’s Monday to Friday every week.

We supported food donations into 3 food banks and community hubs this week.

Who made this possible:

Thank you to Karen for provided hearty chicken casserole, your support is always appreciated.

As always thank you to the woods for donating pizza, the guys love your pizza. Thank you for all you do.

Thank you to the Leeds 11 Sikh temple for supporting us with meals, we really are blessed to have your support.

Thank you to Punjabi Heaven for donating a Curry and Rice, your support is always appreciated.

Thank you to Singh restaurant for helping us support the homeless hostels and the B&B’s accommodating our homeless community.

Jo, Saul, Elodie, Kirsten and Linz for the lovely home baked cakes the guys have a sweet tooth so a real treat.

A special thank you to Carol our wonderful volunteer, Wendy and Caz Zumba for donating us a cream tea for the guys a really special treat.

Thank you to all the supermarkets for donating us their surplus waste as it helps us support a few hundred people each week.

Thank you to our team in Bradford for all their hard work with deliveries of food donations.

We just want to say a big thank you to Christine one of our totally hands on trustees for all she does and always standing by us, she is one of the most caring ladies we have ever had the privilege to meet. A real heartfelt thank for caring and all you do.

Once again thank you to each and everyone of our volunteers that supported us to move to our new storage space and many of you still came out and stood by our side tonight after a exhausting day yesterday.

We are grateful to all volunteers for everything they do as we can’t do what we do without you all by our side.

Tonight a young man approached us and asked why do we do what we do, the first answer sprung to mind was because we care.

Team Hampers

#ITSNICETOBENCE

Sunday 28th July 2024

So many of the guys felt the heat exhaustion today, but many of them just queued for their meal patiently. One individual worked his way through the queue and then sat on the pavement, and satisfied his hunger and soon after laid down where he sat and fell asleep, we continued to work around him being careful not to disturb him, when he woke up he stated he was exhausted due to the heat, he had on layers of clothes, which he didn’t remove as he was frightened they would be stolen, and would need them if the night was cooler. He didn’t have a backpack, so next week we will ensure we will take a backpack out just for him.

As hot as it was today people still asked for warm clothes, and coats. Our biggest ask for today was boxer shorts, sleeping bags and trainers, we came across several people in shoe’s either to small or too big, and all with sores on their feet from ill fitting foot wear as some walk miles.

This week we took several calls from people asking us to house them, we made phone enquiries and chased up their housing application, some we sign posted and some we simply couldn’t help due to their circumstances.

Our usual support for the homeless breakfast club continued and we ensured the homeless community will be able to access a breakfast every morning during the week.

We have ensured the food banks have received the donations they require, more as thier provisions are stretched due to the school holidays.

This week we provided home support for 2 individuals, both housed a year ago, but could not afford to buy white appliances, both were extremely grateful with our donations. One individual is a young dad and wants to provide a nice home for his children when they visit.

We have also started delivering fresh bedding packs in to the homeless hostels.

Who made this week possible:

Thank you to our teams that deliver meals into the homeless hostels, B&Bs in Leeds and Bradford.

We are humbly grateful to The Woods in Chapel Allerton for donating fresh piping hot pizzas, the guys always look forward to your pizzas.

Steve for cooking a spicy bean stew as well as donating non perishable food.

Thank you to Sandra for wholesome baking loved by all.

Thank to Jo and family for donating homemade cakes which the guys love.

Once again thank you to Helen and her soon for their home baking, the cupcakes went down a treat.

Thank you Catherine we are really grateful for all your support your chicken stew went down a treat.

Thank you to the Leeds 11 Sikh temple for supporting us with meals every week and just as important donating much needed disposable cups, containers and cutlery.

As always thank you to Punjabi Heaven for donating Dahl and Rice, really warm and enjoyed by all.

Thank you to Singh restaurant for helping us support the homeless hostels and the B&B’s accommodating our homeless community.

Incredibly busy incredibly hot but thank you to everyone that supported us tonight.

Humbled by the support of our volunteers tonight you all helped us to have a 163 people.