A weekly’s campaign to feed homeless people on its patch has begun for the 14th successive year.

The Maidstone-based Kent Messenger first began its You Can Help scheme in 2001, and it has now progressed to involve local schools in its drive to collect food for the needy during the festive season.

Originally, KM Group-owned title teamed up with a local charity, Maidstone Christian Care (which has since become Maidstone Homeless Care), and local businesses.

In the first year of You Can Help, the Messenger collected 2,000 items, and last year it collected 7,500 items and more than £9,300 in cash donations – although it never asks for money.

Charity trustee Angela Clay and Messenger chief reporter Angela Cole. Picture: Martin Apps/Kent Messenger

Chief reporter Angela Cole, who has looked after the campaign for the last five years, said: “The need now also covers items put into emergency food parcels which are given to people and families who suddenly find themselves on hard times, through redundancy, relationship break-ups and repossessions.

“The charity is distributing more and more of them and this week was able to include advent calendars for children, donated by Maidstone Riverside Rotary Club, who would otherwise not have had one.”

Angela has already one appeal on the charity’s behalf this year, when low stocks in October saw thousands of tins of food donated.