A VOLUNTEER who works from dawn until after dark to provide food for the hungry and homeless is our first nominee for Community Star of the Year.

Ann Menhinick, 68, runs the Purple People Kitchen, a small group of volunteers who collect food destined to be thrown away by supermarkets and deliver it to homeless shelters and food banks.

Her colleague Jim Deans told The Argus: “She’s incredible, I don’t know how she does it and how she gets the energy.

“She’s up bright and early and she’s up late at night, it’s probably two full time jobs - probably 16 or 17 hours a day she’s non-stop.

“When we find out that someone has a birthday due, Ann makes a birthday cake so when they come to the foodbank they don’t just get their dinner and their shopping she makes them a cake.

“And I’ve never once heard her complain or say I’m tired. She is an absolute hero, she’s a saint because she doesn’t care about her own health or self, it’s all about helping other people.”

The retired teacher and her team of less than a dozen provide and cook food for around 700 people per week, at city centres including First Base and Emmaus.

On Facebook Becky Wigzall said: “Just want to say what an amazing women Ann is.”

Ann told The Argus: “I’m a little uncomfortable to be singled out for praise, there are lots of people who work just as hard. We all work together, none of us could cope without the others pulling their weight.

“And we’re hoping to get some more volunteers to do some of the driving and delivering.”

To donate or volunteer to Purple People Kitchen, search the name on Facebook.