HOUNSLOW Soup Kitchen is on the verge of closing down and needs the community's help in order to carry on helping those in need.

The soup kitchen was founded in 2018 by Quddous Ahmed and has been helping feed the vulnerable.

They would receive phone calls by those in need of food, assess their situation and then deliver food to them within three hours as part of an emergency food package.

Quddous told Brentford Nub News: "That included those without money to feed their kids, or those fleeing domestic abuse and in need of food as they didn't have any money on them, or even those living pay-check to pay-check despite having a job."

At the same time, the soup kitchen would also assist those in need by helping them with financial literacy courses in order to improve their economic situation.

"Our mission is to eradicate food poverty in the UK and that isn't possible just by providing food, we need to help people not get in such a desperate situation in the first place," added Quddous.

However, since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the number of people needing help from Hounslow Soup Kitchen has grown, but the organisation's funds have struggled.

Quddous said: "Unfortunately the people's need for us has been growing with time and COVID has only made it worse.

"But at the same time, our funds have depleted over time and now we need the community's help to pull through."

Quddous is hopefully that the local community will donate to the soup kitchen's fundraiser, which is in urgent need of another £1,000 by the end of the month.

"We've got such a fantastic community throughout the borough and I'm sure they'll help us, just like they always do.

"Unfortunately, we've had to suspend our service and we're unable to physically provide any food to those in need, which is why we're putting out this call for aid by the community," he added.

Hounslow Soup Kitchen isn't yet registered as a charity and therefore doesn't receive any funding from Hounslow Council.

Instead, they rely on fundraisers and volunteers, with all those working at the soup kitchen doing it voluntarily and without getting paid.

Quddous, who's lived in Hounslow all his life added: "At the moment we've got around 40 volunteers who are all fantastic.

"But we're always looking for more, so if people want to help but don't have the financial capability to do it, they can always just donate some of their time and we'll be very grateful."

To donate to Hounslow Soup Kitchen's fundraiser, click HERE; to volunteer, email [email protected]