BAPS Charities is committed to support and serve the needy. Volunteers from the Charity collected clothes and food for the homeless during the bitterly cold winter period in December.
Homelessness is devastating, dangerous and isolating. On average, homeless people die at just 47 years of age. People sleeping on the streets are almost 17 times more likely to have been victims of violence, and homeless people are over nine times more likely to take their own life than the general population.
A variety of warm pieces of clothing, including jumpers, coats, hats and scarves were deposited at The Swaminarayan School opposite the Neasden Temple in London and various other collection points during the first two weeks of December. Worshippers at the Temple engaged with owners of local businesses to collect clothes at their respective shops and offices.
Following the collection, more than 150 large bags of clothing were distributed to Crisis, the ‘national charity for single homeless people’, The Passage, the charity that ‘helps homeless people transform their lives’, and Glass Door, the charity that believes ‘no one should have to sleep on the streets of London.’
To further support this initiative of helping the homeless, volunteers from BAPS Charities also collected various items of food. A total of 180kg of cereals, tinned food, biscuits, fruit and various other items were distributed to Harrow Foodbank – part of a nationwide network of foodbanks supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
Nisha Saglani, a lead volunteer at BAPS Charities who visited The Passage and Glass Door shared her thoughts on the programme. “It is deeply saddening to hear the struggles that homeless people face, particularly during the cold winter months. We are overwhelmed at the support of worshippers and members of the local community and hope that the clothes and food can provide some warmth and comfort to those without a roof over their heads.”
Judy Cunnington, Manager at the Harrow Foodbank said, “We are so grateful to BAPS Charities for the generous donation which will help many people.”
Steve Gamble, Guest Service Manager at Glass Door also echoed, “These clothes will help many homeless Londoners during the winter.”
Jo Hill, a member of staff at The Passage added, “Thank you to BAPS Charities for the huge contribution to help the homeless with so many clothes.”
