A MAN who runs a soup kitchen in the city centre has revealed mothers and children at “crisis point” are relying upon its services.

Colin McInnes, Chairman of the Homeless Project Scotland Charity, opened the facility from underneath the Heilanman’s Umbrella last month.

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He has revealed that his volunteers are stocking up on baby supplies as well as food and toiletries as the kitchen has accommodated for almost 800 people in need.

He said: “Every week, we have a woman come down with a pram and her child.

“A few of our volunteers haven’t be able to come back because they can’t cope with it.

“So we need to supply baby food. Every Friday, you can see a unit with infant essentials like clothes, milk powder and bibs. You kind of look through the baby supplies and think, this shouldn’t be happening in 2020."

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Operating from a van with tables, stalls and chairs, the mobile service offers hot meals to around 150 to 200 people every Friday evening from its weekly facility.

Colin added: “This time last year, we’d see maybe 20 to 25 people come per night for food. Now, we’re sometimes seeing almost 200 people with babies and prams.

“We’ve got people in wheelchairs that also make their way down to our soup kitchen.”

Network Rail had previously donated the charity its premises at 194 Argyle Street in recognition of its ample work for the homeless and ambitious plans for the future.

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Colin added: “We’ve had to work the soup kitchen around coronavirus, which has been a change from the usual way we operate.

“We’ve got tables and chairs for sitting outside to prevent any risk of transmission.

“The tables are all spaced out two meters apart from each other to allow a healthy space between our service users.

“We’ve also got a queueing system and sanitation spaces. We’ve had to adapt massively because of the pandemic.”

Looking ahead to the New Year, the charity has plans to expand its mobile services due to an increase in demand.

Colin added: “We’ve got people in wheelchairs that also make their way down to our soup kitchen.

“Looking ahead to 2021, we’ll be looking to open our soup kitchen twice a week in a reflection of the demand for our emergency service.”

To donate to Homeless Project Scotland, visit HERE.

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