Costa Coffee branch to give free food and drink to homeless on Christmas Day

The shop, on Swansea’s Oxford Street, is expecting more than 80 people to come through its doors when it opens

(Reuters)

A Costa Coffee branch in Wales will open exceptionally this Christmas to give free coffee, food and presents to the city’s homeless.

Eight of the chain’s employees have volunteered for December 25th, and will hand out gifts donated by staff, according to Wales Online, while NHS nurses will be offering their aid and support.

The shop, on Swansea’s Oxford Street, is expecting more than 80 people to come through its doors when it opens from 8am to 10am.

Costa began the initiative after a homeless man was found lying dead in a nearby doorway this October. It was set up as a result of a community project fund launched by the company last year, and means individual stores are now allocated funds every year with the freedom to choose good causes to spend it on.

The Swansea store manager, Amy Rees, said: “It was very sad when we heard news about that man dying in a nearby doorway – we regularly used to see him and give him a drink.

“That really hit home with us and I thought that an event like this was a great opportunity to put the community fund to good use.”

“For us it’s just a few hours during the morning but we know it’s something that will make a lot of difference to them. If it goes well and helps a lot of people I’m hoping we can do it every year from now on.”