**Update - We don't know how long this pandemic will go on for but we want to be able to support this project as long as possible. Our target is based on costs until end of May - but it is likely the homeless will be housed in hotel for longer than that. Any extra money raised above target will go into continuing to feed them through into June. If there is any money left in pot after this project finishes it will go directly to Streets Kitchen. Thank you so much for your generous support!**

The Covid-19 outbreak has affected all of us, and we have seen many amazing fundraising efforts highlighting the generosity of human spirit. However, the homeless have often been overlooked and forgotten during this pandemic. Not only are they extremely vulnerable and part of the higher risk category in terms of infection, but due to lockdown this has cut off their usual food supply - ie the kindness of strangers giving on the street.

Yatai is a Japanese casual dining concept based in London. Having had to close all our usual restaurant sites due to this pandemic, we were keen not to be defeated and found a new kitchen based in Battersea to operate a delivery only service. We also wanted to offer our help to vulnerable people and found the Homeless hotel project (more details below), with a local site close to our new kitchen.

We want to provide delicious, hot, comforting meals every week for these most vulnerable guests at the hotel. We have committed already to 2 nights but we need YOUR help to roll out the project. Like many businesses we have been hugely affected by the coronavirus pandemic and don't have the funds to be able to do as much as we want to. We have the kitchen, we have the people power and expertise, and any help you can give would make a HUGE DIFFERENCE. The Yatai team are providing their time and resources to this project but we need help for the raw ingredients!

Each meal will cost between £2-2.50 and all donations will go directly to this project. So for every £5 you donate, that will provide at least 2 meals directly to those in need.

There are currently 40 guests at the hotel (this will probably increase) so our aim for 400 meals will cover 10 evening meals for the entire hotel. This will enable us to provide 2 nights per week until the end of May - there are other amazing volunteers hopefully able to provide on the other evenings.

Thank you for your donation!

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Our team at Yatai have partnered with a fantastic group called Streets Kitchen (https://www.streetskitchen.org) who work with the homeless community across the UK ensuring they have access to hot food and provide support for those who need it most. During this crisis they have worked with authorities to set up homeless hotels - providing safe shelter for these extremely vulnerable members of our society. Rough sleepers have been given rooms, providing much needed safety and the ability to self-isolate during this pandemic. We are partnering with a hotel off Clapham Common which is a collaboration between Streets Kitchen and Lambeth council.

The hotel is run by The London Hotel Group (who own the hotel), and Lambeth Council have block booked rooms for the homeless, paid for by GLA (Greater London Authority) funding. The issue that Lambeth council have is that they do not have the resources or man-power to completely manage those guests once they’re housed, and have asked for support from Streets Kitchen to help with essential aid and meals. To have food is a basic human right, and Streets Kitchen fulfils that right. Streets Kitchen relies on volunteers to provide meals, and Yatai will be volunteering as much as we can throughout this uncertain period.