Homeless and in-need people are set to benefit from free meals in a new initiative praised by Stella Creasy MP.

Kicking off on Sunday June 9 at 1pm The Plates For You project is targeting elderly homeless and in-need people in the borough.

Taking place at St Gabriel’s Church in Walthamstow the interfaith event is organised by Faizan-e-Islam and supported by Near Neighbours, St Gabriel’s Church and St Mary’s Church.

Saira Mir, an organiser of the event, said they want to use the large multicultural population in Waltham Forest to build bridges, both culturally and between the elderly and younger people.

Serving vegetarian dishes and meat dishes the food is completely free to those who need it, they just need to show up on the day.

Funding has been provided by Near Neighbours and the organisers are purely voluntary – they do all the cooking and serving.

Mrs Mir said they hope to make Plates For You happen once a month on a Sunday.