Two charities that work to feed the homeless received early Christmas presents yesterday in the shape of $5,000 gifts.

The donations were presented to The Salvation Army's feeding programme and the Anglican Cathedral vestry's breakfast programme by Bermuda International Shipping.

Captain Dwayne Barnes of the Salvation Army's North Street branch said the funds would keep the organisation's soup kitchen running for three weeks.

He added that the kitchen served about 500 meals a week to the homeless in normal times, but that had increased in recent months.

Captain Barnes said: "We generally serve about 100 people per day, although we have seen that number rising recently, perhaps up to 130 people per day, in part because of Covid-19.

"We don't like to be in the position that we find ourselves, but it's just where we are at the moment.

"As a community we need to reach out to each other more and come together more, and this donation is extremely welcome – it's a very good example of the community working together to help those in need."

A spokesman for the freight company said that both charities had seen increased demand for their work in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He added: "It is essential that we support the community in times of need.

"During this pandemic, the Cathedral vestry breakfast Programme increased the number of days it provides meals, and The Salvation Army, North Street Citadel feeding programme saw the number of people they serve increase.

"Both organisations continue to provide greatly needed services in our community and it’s BISL’s hope that these monetary donations of $5,000 towards each programme will provide some additional support."