A GROUP of churchgoers have united to provide free lunches for people in need this winter after being left “appalled” by the cost-of-living crisis.

From Thursday, November 3, the Catholic church of Our Lady of Sorrows in Fordingbridge say their church hall is welcome to anyone struggling as energy, fuel and food bills rise.

Held every Thursday from 11am until around 3pm, the church in Salisbury Road will offer visitors a warm place to enjoy unlimited cups of tea and coffee and a free hot soup lunch with bread.

“In a perfect world we shouldn’t have to do this, but the reality of the current situation means that we do,” said project coordinator Dr John Elliott, who told the Echo he was “amazed” by his church’s response.

He said: “This is a community response by the congregation of a small church who have been fairly appalled by what’s happening. We’ve seen how difficult it is and will be for people to survive now all costs have gone up substantially.

“The feeling was we should try to do something about it. We had a little meeting around six weeks ago to work out planning and 25 people stepped forward to volunteer. That just amazed me as I thought we might get three or four.”

Bournemouth Echo: Our Lady of Sorrows Church in FordingbridgeOur Lady of Sorrows Church in Fordingbridge (Image: Avon Stour Pastoral Area)

Dr Elliott also stressed that anymore, no matter their faith or background, is welcome at the church.

Canon Paul Townsend added: “I am delighted to be able to support this initiative because our community acknowledges the needs of people as we approach the winter.

“Anxiety about paying bills for energy and food is not just an anxiety for many in Ringwood and Fordingbridge because that anxiety extends across the country.

“The initiative also provides an opportunity for people to meet socially in a relaxed environment.”

Soup has been homemade by Dr Elliott, his wife and several other volunteers and includes flavours such as tomato and sweet potato with carrot.

Dr Elliott added: “This project will include Christmas and New Year time so we’ll see what happens after then. We have no idea whether we’ll get three or 33 people turn up each week. All we know is we’re doing as much as we can at the moment to help and hope to do some good.”