Whilst we are closed to the public during the Covid-19 pandemic, we are providing a ‘Meals on Wheels’ style service to vulnerable local people who can’t get out to buy food. After closing The Bevy due to the outbreak, a team of our dedicated volunteers and staff decided to cook and deliver hot meals 3 times per week to ensure that none of the regular attendees of our lunch clubs goes hungry.
We had successfully trialled the scheme, known as ‘Bevy Bites’ earlier this month with a rollout planned for later in the Spring. But when the Coronavirus outbreak hit, we decided to begin offering the service straight away, starting with members of the busy Friday Friends and Bridge The Gap weekly lunch clubs, which provide companionship, activities and a hearty meal to elderly local people. We have introduced the most stringent hygiene safety measures in the Bevy building and in the delivery process.
Helen Jones, who is co-ordinating the efforts onsite for us says “We’re managing to feed a lot of people who usually come to our lunch clubs for the elderly so we can still provide them a lifeline. We’re also now receiving lots of requests from local people with underlying health issues who are on their own and would be going without food if it wasn’t for Bevy Bites. A lot of these people are hard up, feeling very anxious and very isolated.
“This is our third day of delivering and it’s growing each time. We think the demand will be huge as more people learn about it. We want people in the area to know that if can’t get out of your house, you don’t have to go hungry.”
Committee member Laurie helping deliver food to some of the most vulnerable people in our community
The Bevy has been working closely with local schools, churches and community organisations, developing a combined community response to make sure help is given to all those who need it throughout the crisis. Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) has collaborated with the pub to help us out with Bevy Bites, building up a reserve of frozen meals to be deployed when most necessary with help from the Brighton Food Factory, a new not for profit social enterprise addressing food inequality in Brighton and Hove.
Please help support us
We are asking for urgent donations to ensure this service continues. Any donations are very welcome. Every £5 you give provides someone with a meal so we are really grateful for any money anyone can spare.
If you’d like to donate to The Bevy please head to our donate page: www.thebevy.co.uk/donate
If you live in Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, have been told not to or cannot leave your home and would like to receive one of these meals, or know someone who would then please phone us on 01273 281009