Leeds charity says more people 'struggling massively' in lead up to Christmas as donations plummet

The two sisters who set up the Homeless Street Angels have also said that the lack of food and gifts has been coupled with a huge increase in demand for their foodbank service throughout 2025.

The trends make apparent the mounting difficulties faced by many during this festive season.

Shelley and Becky Joyce added that other charities throughout the city have reflected their concerns, with the increased cost of living severely impacting peoples’ capacity to donate.

Homeless Street Angels was launched in 2017 to help the homeless in Leeds and launched its foodbank service during the Covid pandemic.

Becky Joyce said: “It’s increased massively over the last year to over 1,000 people. The client base has changed as well. We get parents with two kids and those with a steady income.

“But loads of clients are struggling massively and the anxiety is causing people stress. They’re worrying about paying the bills, paying rent.”

However the increase of demand has not been met by an increase of supplies.

Shelley said: “For example, every year we do family Christmas food hampers for people who can’t afford a proper dinner. We have regulars who come with a bags full of everything - food and Christmas crackers. We used to have about 10 or 20 full meals but this year we’ve only had one turkey crown donated.

“Usually we have mountains and mountains but we haven’t been able to help as many families this year.”

She added that they and other children’s charities have seen a decrease in the number of toys donated, saying: “It’s heart breaking because we know people are generous but they just can’t afford it.

“It’s not that we are not appreciative of the help we get. We are even more appreciative now because we realise that things are so much harder.

“Even some of the most generous people who have supported us for years say they can’t afford it.”

Fortunately the sisters said that after reaching out to other potential suppliers and informing them of the amount that they were struggling they have received donations from various independent businesses and high street supermarkets like Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.

Shelley said: “We are getting a steady supply of food, otherwise the foodbank might not have survived.

“Unfortunately we are not government funded so we do notice when things are not coming in.”

Some of the food and gifts that have been donated will be given to the homeless on Christmas Eve as part of the charity’s annual tradition of handing out 100 rucksacks filled with supplies.

Asked why she felt people had found it so hard to donate this year. Becky said that people are “being cautious” and “worrying about their bills”, adding that businesses are also feeling the sting.

She said: “There are cutbacks on overtime. People are trying to get extra shifts and they’re not there anymore. There’s no extra spending money.”

Shelley said: “Costs are flying up as well. I went to the supermarket and some of the prices now absolutely shock me. They have more than doubled.”

The charity provides a weekly outreach service in Leeds city centre where it hands out meals and supplies to the homeless, with Shelley saying that this year has seen an increase of people attending.

She said: “We get people queueing up from 3pm to make sure they get something to eat and we don’t start giving it out until 7pm.

“And it’s not just the homeless anymore. It’s families and people who are struggling with their bills.”

For more information about the Homeless Street Angels visit their website here.