A CHARITY has continued its vital work in the community throughout the pandemic thanks to its staff and volunteers.

Manna House, Kendal, offers support to homeless and vulnerable people in the South Lakes area.

“Although the doors have been closed, the service has been open and we’ve done about 100 bags of food a week,” said Clare Neal, Learning Kitchen Manager and Skills leader.

“We’ve made sure our clients have been fed.”

Despite the charity’s building having to temporarily close, staff have continued to take phone calls from clients regarding housing and benefit concerns.

Manna House has also been distributing food to those who need it.

“Usually we serve three lunches a week, which we can serve about 70 people per lunch,” said Clare.

“We’ve been providing to free school meal families in South Lakeland alongside the foodbanks.

“We’ve still got 100 clients who are vulnerable or have previously been homeless, who come in regularly to pick up food bags from us.”

As it is National Volunteers Week the charity have put together parcels of tea and biscuits and 'thank you' cards for all their volunteers.

Although volunteers haven’t been able to come in to work they have still been contributing from home.

"A lot of our volunteers have been doing kind things for us," said Clare.

“Our porter Chris Ryan hasn’t had a day off throughout lockdown.

“A real superhero who has been redistributing Neighbourly and FareShare produce from the supermarkets to our clients, free school meal families at QKS and Sandylands association.

“He never complains , just always delivers the food and his sunshine personality.”

Another volunteer who has gone the extra mile is artist Ruth Clayton, who has been helping to make face masks for staff and clients for when the charity's building reopens.

Ruth had previously volunteered with the organisation for two years, before taking time out to help care for her grandson .

She had begun volunteering again three weeks before lockdown.

Ruth has been selling a gratitude mandala card she designed of which she is donating £1 to Manna House for each sale.

The piece called 'Dear Elliot' is dedicated to her grandson.

"We all chip in," she said "I want to help in any capacity that's needed."