A neighborhood café in Bristol is to renew its free sizzling meals service from lunchtime on Monday (11 January) for the homeless, weak, and people in want of assist.
The Stokes Croft Food Project will likely be freely giving takeaway meals at Jamaica Avenue Shops in Stokes Croft each weekday from noon to 2pm all through lockdown.
The restaurant will likely be providing a sizzling veggie meal, and hope to offer a meat choice relying on provide. Drinks like tea, espresso and squash will even be accessible.
The meals will likely be ready by Jamaica Street Stores homeowners Charlie James and his brother Philip, with meals provided by charity Truthful Share.
Proprietor Charlie says additionally they hope to start out up a ‘free store’ within the coming months, the place individuals in want of things like tinned beans and cereal bars can gather them freed from cost.
The Stokes Croft Meals Mission can also be persevering with to serve sizzling soup to “anybody who’s hungry” via the winter months on Sundays at 2pm.
It comes as FoodCycle – a charity which fights meals poverty and loneliness – introduced it is going to proceed to offer free takeaway meals to individuals in want throughout Bristol throughout the third nationwide lockdown.
(Picture: Lisa Furness)
Charlie says he recognises lockdown is more likely to be a tough time for everybody and encourages individuals to “come by” in the event that they’re struggling for meals.
“If you end up or anybody else struggling, please don’t hesitate to return by. You may have as many parts as you want,” he mentioned.
The café runs solely off donations and grants, however prospects wanting meals are underneath no obligation to pay.
It’s an initiative that was introduced by the Jamaica St Stores restaurant last summer – impressed by the multi-award profitable neighborhood kitchen Foodhall in Sheffield.
Prospects had been inspired to pay ‘what they’ll’ for a sizzling meal, however Charlie says he expects the initiative to be “extra of a neighborhood service” this time spherical.
“Due to the stricter nationwide lockdown, we’re stretching our price range to attempt to make as many sizzling meals as we will,” he says.
Charlie says he hoped they might open their restaurant to dine-in prospects this yr, after taking a break over Christmas and New 12 months. However as a consequence of lockdown they’re as an alternative providing takeaways via a hatch.
The Stokes Croft Meals Mission presently has round 14 volunteers, and is working intently with Metropolis of Bristol School to rearrange work placements for college kids.
To assist the challenge, or make a donation, go to the Stokes Croft Food Project website.
