A BLACKBURN-BASED international aid foundation is proving charity begins at home this weekend by supplying hot Sunday lunches to poverty-stricken households in the town.

The ‘Food For Thought’ project is a new initiative to provide a hot meal once a week to the less fortunate in the area.

The voluntary service, involving local families cooking the lunches, is organised by Audley Range-based charity the Al-Imdaad Foundation UK.

It will offer the food to needy families and indivi-duals regardless of race, religion, gender or age.

The charity’s international projects co-ordinator Zubair Vali said the idea was inspired by the work of Blackburn Foodbank.

The volunteers and families involved in the project wanted a new approach, serving ‘hot wholesome’ meals to those who couldn’t afford hot nutritious food at least once a week. Mr Vali said the scheme was inspired by two families who provide catering to businesses and asked the Al-Imdaad Foundation to spearhead a wider initiative.

Initially, it will run every Sunday for a year and Blackburn Foodbank are helping signpost the needy to the scheme.

The hot meals will be distributed by volunteers from the foundation’s main office at 185 Audley Range, but the charity hopes to set up more distribution banks in other areas. This project is currently financed by the volunteer families, but if demand increases, “Food For Thought” will be looking for sponsors to keep the project running.

Al-Imdaad works in more than 65 countries around the world including in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, as well as the UK.

Mr Vali said: “This is charity beginning at home for the foundation.

“It is sad there are people in Blackburn that need our help but we are keen to help feed local people living below the poverty line.”

Borough leader and Labour Parliamentary can-didate for Blackburn Kate Hollern said: “This is a good example of local people taking it upon themselves to help others in the sprit of the council’s ‘You Call’ initiative.

“However, it shows the effect government policies and austerity are having locally.”

Blackburn Foodbank manager Ros Duerden said: “We welcome any initiative to help bring food to those in need.”