'Without free meal, it's a cup of soup for dinner'

A woman who receives free hot meals from a cafe says she is struggling to make ends meet on universal credit.

Carol Kemp, 64, is among a growing number of people receiving meals from the Centenary Methodist Church in Boston, Lincolnshire, according to volunteers.

She said she often had "a packet of soup and a bit of bread" for dinner because of the cost of her bills.

The government said household incomes had risen by 5% in real terms, food bank usage had fallen and it was supporting local authorities to help prevent households falling into crisis.

The church said the number of people coming in for meals rose by about 50% at the beginning of the year.

Joanna Criddle, who is in charge of community meals, said: "Especially January, February, people are perhaps a bit short of money after Christmas, they've got the heating on longer as well.

"Our numbers, which are usually around 60 to 70, went up to over 90."

She added: "There is help available, but it's not always easy to find it or to admit that you need help."

Kemp said her situation made her feel "really sad".

"I come her on a Wednesday and a Friday, and then I have to go to my mate's and say, can you give me this, can you give me some food?

"I shouldn't be doing that. It's horrible."

The cafe began the service for homeless people during the Covid-19 pandemic, before extending provision to the wider community.

Single dad Scott, 36, said he was living "from pay check to pay check".

"I use my car for work and petrol prices are creeping up and up. Then the gas and electric will be going up," he said.

At the cafe, he received a "good home-cooked meal" while socialising with friends.

Audrey Burrell, a 90-year-old widow and former volunteer, said she attended the cafe to prevent loneliness.

"I'm a bit of a person who worries about things. I come to (the cafe) talk them over with other people," she said.

"I sit and chat to everybody and anybody."

The cafe is open each Wednesday and Friday from 09:30 to 13:00 BST.

Criddle said everybody was welcome and the was "no stigma".

A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "This government is determined to turn the tide on poverty after years of rising hardship.

"Our recent statistics show that effort is beginning to make a difference – household incomes have risen 5% in real terms, food bank usage has fallen and food insecurity is down.

"Our £1bn multi-year crisis and resilience fund will give local authorities the certainty to help prevent households from falling into crisis and this can be used to support food banks."