The coronavirus outbreak has forced the traditional method of providing food to the homeless through a single venue to change drastically due social distancing rules.

Glasgow-based charities and communities have been mobilised for what is believed to be the city’s largest coordinated delivery of food parcels to the homeless.

Over 350 meals are being delivered every day to the city’s homeless as charities join forces to ensure everyone in the city’s emergency homeless accommodation remains safe and fed during the coronavirus crisis.

The half a dozen charities and groups include the Simon Community Scotland, Help for the Homeless (H4TH), Destiny Church, The Marie Trust, Social Bite and Turning Point Scotland (TPS).

Lorraine McGrath, chief executive at Simon Community Scotland, said:“This is a difficult time and we’re working to help people to self-isolate.

“We don’t want people putting themselves or others at risk by coming into the city when we can get the food to them.”

Due to the pandemic, meals are being delivered individually to reduce the need for people to gather en masse in the city centre which would put themselves and others at risk.

With support from the council, the Simon Community took over a Glasgow hotel two weeks ago to ensure homeless people were housed during the crisis.

A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: “We’re working closely with a number of key third sector providers along with the charity Social Bite and the Wheatley Group to co-ordinate the delivery of food vouchers, food parcels, meals and microwaves where appropriate to all the homeless people we’re accommodating.

“This is a challenging task. However, we are absolutely committed to reducing the risk of infection and ensuring people have access to food.”

Microwaves have been provided to everyone who needs one so that the meals can be heated up.

A combined £4000 raised by staff and volunteers at Help for the Homeless and Turning Point Scotland has allowed for the purchase of the microwaves, with an additional £1000 donated by Simon Community Scotland.

Glasgow City Mission and The Invisibles organisation have offered to help distribute the food, plus other essentials.

Frances O’Donnell, from Turning Point Scotland, added: “This crisis has brought together a variety of groups and businesses that have discovered a common goal and have seen the benefits of joint working and sharing of resources directed at those most in need.”