A community kitchen serving nutritious meals to those who need them most during the coronavirus crisis has sprung up in Fife.
Staff with catering company Thomas Franks Scotland have worked tirelessly to create the much-needed Feeding Communities project which will provide fresh meals to three charities helping vulnerable people across eastern Scotland during the pandemic.
Right through to at least mid-May, the team is preparing, cooking and packing meals out of their makeshift base at St Leonards School in St Andrews to be delivered to worthy causes.
Transform Community in Dundee, which provides temporary support and accommodation within the city and give vulnerable people opportunities to change their lives by developing new skills, is one of the beneficiaries, while St Mary’s Community Trust, which is part of the Rank Foundation in Dundee, is also part of the initiative.
Homestart East Lothian, a voluntary organisation committed to promoting the welfare of families with at least one child under five years of age, is similarly reaping the benefits of Thomas Franks’ efforts.
Over the course of the next three weeks, Thomas Franks will provide just under 500 meals a week, ranging from cottage pie, chicken tikka masala with rice and apple sponge for dessert.
Kenny Leamy, head of operations in Scotland at the company, explained: “Given the circumstances, we are just happy to be helping wherever we can.
“Seeing the smiles on the people’s faces when we dropped the food off was enough, just knowing we are going to help in some way.
“We are now hoping that we can raise some more money to feed as many people as we can.”
Everyone at Thomas Franks have expressed their gratitude to St Leonards School, which opened its kitchens specially to allow staff to prepare meals, and generous donors across Scotland who have helped contribute.
Andrew Maitland, chief operating officer at St Leonards, said St Leonards is proud to support the Thomas Franks’ Feeding Communities project.
“Working together with our school caterer at this challenging time and enabling food to be created, packaged and delivered locally to families who need it the most, is a way we can make a difference,” he said.
“We are delighted to continue to be involved in this initiative, wherever we can.”
Anyone who wants more information or wishes to support the Thomas Franks Feeding Communities project should contact Kenny Leamy on 07432 235013 or kenny@thomasfranks.co.uk.
