Sinn Féin representatives John Finucane MP and Carál Ní Chuilín MLA today met with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons alongside the People’s Kitchen team at its premises.

Speaking after, John Finucane said:

“The People’s Kitchen and its volunteers carry out incredible work throughout Belfast on a daily basis, supporting the homeless in the city, offering them food and other vital services.

“Today, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons visited the People’s Kitchen’s premises to see first-hand the amazing role this organisation plays in supporting those without a home.

“Remarkably, they receive no public funding for delivery of these services, relying on the generosity of the public to support homeless people.

“We asked the minister to look at potential funding streams for the organisation to ensure they can continue to provide this necessary support, now and into the future.

“As we aim to tackle homelessness and build more homes, homeless organisations such as the People’s Kitchen must have adequate support, tools and resources to carry out this work, which is desperately needed on our streets.

“I’ll continue to work alongside Paul, Damian and the team at the People’s Kitchen to press the communities minister and his department to allocate funding to this organisation.”