There is something wonderfully simple about the food voucher scheme which has been launched in this town.

Instead of caring souls giving money - which may subsequently be spent on drink or drugs - the less fortunate get a voucher which will buy a meal.

The £1 vouchers allow food and only non-alcoholic drinks to be bought at participating stores.

Public praise should be given to McDonald's, in Cavendish Street, and Wild's Cafe in the market for signing up to the scheme.

It will take some thought on behalf of businesses before joining in, but it would be great if we could publish a growing list of those willing to accept the vouchers.

The project organisers, the Central Keighley Churches Together and the National Homeless Sunday group at Utley, fully accept the scheme won't solve the homeless problem.

But they are so right in their belief that a project like this can help weld the community, make positive contributions on a wider scale, and increase awareness of the needs of others. Simple ideas have great power to make changes.

A great beauty of the scheme is that it makes it possible for individuals who want to help the homeless and hungry on their own doorsteps to do so for very little money.

It also goes some way to overcoming the problems created by professional beggars, who have undermined the confidence of many people in giving to those who are genuinely in need.

Father Maurice Pearce, vice-chairman of Central Keighley Churches Together, says they hope it will catch on around the town. So do we.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.