A charity is supporting a coastal community with the launch of a new initiative over the winter.

With the YMCA Trinity Group in Lowestoft having been inundated with requests for support amid the cost of living crisis, they have started a new project to deliver free hot meals to support the community.

Run by The Shine Project and thanks to funding provided by the ‘Ease the Squeeze’ Cost of Living Fund from East Suffolk Council, the two organisations have teamed up to launch this initiative and help tackle food poverty in their communities.

Free hot meals are available to locals on Mondays and Wednesdays between noon and 1.30pm at YMCA Trinity, Imperial House, Bevan Street East, Lowestoft.

There are no requirements to attend, and the hot meals are available for collection and for take away during these times.

The project will be running for 20 weeks with the first session starting last week.

Lowestoft Journal: Julia and Josie from YMCAJulia and Josie from YMCA (Image: YMCA)

The charity - which delivers programmes of support that make a difference to and enables local people to transform their lives - has also opened a Community Fridge which is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and noon.

Kay Westgate, Youth Engagement Manager at YMCA Trinity Group, said: "We are running this project to help support our local community during the cost of living crisis and to ease some of the financial pressure on families in the area.

"We hope this initiative will give the local community access to hot, healthy and nutritious meals in a warm community setting, helping to reduce incidents of respiratory conditions over the winter months.

"Our Community Fridge is open on alternate days to the local foodbank so that people are able to access food across the full week.

"Our team are incredibly passionate and committed to being there for our young people and communities at the times when they need the most support and will also be signposting other support programmes to ensure we have a lasting and sustainable impact on those we reach."

To find out more about YMCA Trinity Group, visit its website ymcatrinitygroup.org.uk