Scotland star shows true heart at homeless Christmas lunch in city
SCOTLAND striker Steven Naismith brought Christmas to Glasgow’s homeless people at a city charity.
Former Rangers player Steven, who is now with Hearts, paid for around 60 festive dinners for needy people who enjoyed a threecourse meal donated by him.
It is the eighth year the footballer has helped people at the Loaves and Fishes charity who enjoyed a festive spread.
Steven, from Ayrshire, who is on loan to Hearts from Norwich City, said: “I had established myself as a professional footballer and my upbringing was one of helping as much as you can.
“One of the biggest things about me helping this charity and the other ones I’m involved in, is more about raising awareness and getting as much help as possible.
“Today’s a good day, it keeps everybody together and gives them a good day to look forward to.”
The charity operates in Glasgow and North and South Lanarkshire and provides meals, food parcels, clothes and toiletries for those in need.
But in the time he has worked with the organisation the striker says the problem has increased rapidly.
He added: “In the eight years I’ve been involved, it is only getting worse rather than better in a year where the world is moving so quickly and housing and homelessness are so far behind.
“During this time, I have tried to get a better understanding of the difficult conditions many people are living in.
“I have had the privilege of meeting so many good, clever and thoughtful people who find themselves in difficult circumstances not of their own making.”
Steven, who chatted to people at the meal in the Oasis Cafe in Renfield St Stephen’s Church, said it was “distressing” to feel powerless to make a bigger impact.
Denis Curran, who has spent 26 years at Loaves & Fishes, was grateful for his donation but said he had “never experienced” such a demand on its services.
He said: “It might be 2018, almost 2019, but without doubt there is a poverty crisis in Scotland right now, with more and more families relying on emergency food packages from foodbanks.
“We are desperately in need of donations, to fund hot meals for the homeless and to provide food packages for the most needy in our society.
“If you are able to, I would urge you to help this Christmas and throughout the year.”