A COMMUNITY kitchen which is dedicated to feeding the homeless is approaching its first anniversary and looking forward to helping more people during 2018.

Bradford Community Kitchen, run by Abdul Satar, Lesley Semmens and Anne-Marie Mitchell, opens each Sunday between 3pm and 5pm to provide a meal to the homeless and vulnerable.

It is based in the Millside Centre, in Grattan Street, and first opened its doors in April 2017.

“We have been delighted with the number of people who come and enjoy the food and chat, said Mr Satar.

“We can have up to 100 people come to us for food. Those who come are not only homeless, but may have mental health issues or simply have not enough money to feed themselves. We don’t turn anyone away.

“We have also managed to get a number of homeless people housed.”

Mr Satar, who owns the Office Furniture Company, in Sunbridge Road, added: “The Millside Centre has been really good to us.

“We have had the rooms and kitchen free of charge for the first 12 months, which runs out in April.

“After than we will have to start paying rent so we will be doing some fundraising events to cover the cost. I expect it to be around £100 per week.

“I have a separate Bradford Community Kitchen bank account and everything is receipted to show the money has been paid in and to show where it has been spent.

“We recently got a donation of £580 from Jamia Masjid Hanfia mosque, off Carlisle Road, in Bradford, which they wanted to put towards buying food.”

Other businesses which donate each week include Pakistan Catering, Rajas, Sweet Centre, Sunrise, Regal Food Products, Shalimar Catering, Gotyasize gym, Kamrans Solicitors, in Leeds, Good & Co solicitors and Gustoso noodles and salad bar, in Kirkgate.

Zulfi Hussain, who runs the Pavilion Cafe and Deeva Restaurant, Bradford, has donated clothing.

“We are looking forward to a busy 2018 and to helping more people,” said Mr Satar.