A NETWORKING group for young business people in Bradford is asking for food donations to support homeless and vulnerable people across the district.

Members of Bradford's Junior Chamber International (JCI) have started collecting for their third annual Harvest Festival project, and are looking for schools and businesses to act as collection points for the appeal.

The project follows on from the group's Secret Santa appeal, which it has run for the last 26 years.

Michelle Pemberton, community director of JCI Bradford, said: "After the long-term success of our Secret Santa Appeal we wanted to create another project which provides practical and essential items.

"The project is giving back to the Bradford community by providing homeless, elderly, and vulnerable people with food over the winter months.

"The idea of the collection was inspired by the traditional Harvest Festival.

"I remember as a child collecting harvest donations and taking them to the elderly.

"I wanted to bring the joy it gave me as a child back to the children of Bradford to show them compassion and care for their community.

"Hundreds of people in Bradford go hungry everyday and poverty affects young children through to the elderly.

"With support from projects like this people less fortunate and vulnerable can be helped."

JCI Bradford was established in 1959, making it one of the oldest junior chambers in the UK.

Young people join the group to lead projects in areas of business, training, community, and positive social change.

The group is asking for donations of non-perishable food within its expiry date, such as biscuits and cereal bars, pasta, rice, and pulses, and tinned food with ring pulls.

Schools already involved in this year's appeal include Bradford Grammar School, Bankfoot Primary School, and Carlton Bolling College, with businesses Gordons LLP, Morrisons, and the Royal Bank of Scotland also lending their support.

Jane Chapman, pastoral director at Bradford Grammar School, said: "This will be the third year that Bradford Grammar School has collected food for JCI’s Harvest Appeal.

"It is great to have a meaningful way to help others in the city less fortunate than our staff and pupils, who don’t ever have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.

"Each form group enjoys contributing foodstuffs to contribute to the school’s collection, and we have found pupils and parents very generous with their donations."

The Harvest Festival project runs until October 14, and any schools or companies wishing to get involved should e-mail michelle@jcibradford.org.uk.