HOMELESS people in Oxford are set to enjoy hot, freshly-cooked meals from hotel chefs.

Staff at the Holiday Inn, at the Pear Tree interchange, will create stews, soups and other dishes for people using the Porch Steppin’ Stone centre in Magdalen Road.

The scheme, which will take place once a month, is the brainchild of Holiday Inn employee Martin Cross.

The 22-year-old, from Abingdon, said: “I have been interested in charity work since quite a young age.

“We have a scheme at work called The Wheel, which includes a section on helping the community and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to help.

“The head chef and trainees will make a large dish of food, which will then be distributed to people staying at the centre.”

At first, Mr Cross had hoped to distribute any food left at the hotel at the end of each day to the city’s homeless.

However, this plan was dropped because of food safety rules. It was decided instead that the hotel would make meals specially for the centre.

Mr Cross, who works in the hotel’s maintenance department, said: “It’s more important than ever to help people living on the streets.

“Since the recession, you see more and more homeless people around Oxford, which is very worrying.

“Given the snow and freezing temperatures we have had recently, everybody should try to do their bit to help people who have nowhere to live.”

The Porch charity runs the Steppin’ Stone Centre, providing day-long support for homeless and vulnerable people wanting to move away from street-life and addiction to drink and drugs.

Although it does not offer accommodation, the facilities available there include a low-cost cafe, laundry facilities and showers, a free clothing store, a library and a number of Internet-connected computers.

Steppin’ Stone project manager Nigel Northcott said the charity relied on the generosity of donors to survive.

He said: “We receive donations from Oxford City Council, churches, individuals and companies.

“We’re utterly reliant on people’s kindness if we are to carry on helping people who live on the streets.

“It’s more vital than ever right now, because the conditions this winter have been so appalling.

“People have found it exceptionally difficult. We’re always grateful for any support we receive.”