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Businesses in Maidstone have been doing their part to help the homeless.
Popular chippy, Barming Fish and Chips on Tonbridge Road, has come up with a discreet way of making sure people can get a warm, satisfying meal.
It has set up a scheme where customers can buy their usual cod and chips and also purchase another meal for a homeless person.
The takeaway, run by brothers Nuh and Mehmet Karsandi and their cousin Russ Saglam, writes customers’ orders down on Post-It notes which are stuck on the ‘pay it forward’ wall in the shop.
People living on the streets can choose a meal or drink from the wall and hand it over the counter discreetly to redeem it.
The idea came after Mel Wallis, a staff member from Snodland, posted on the takeaway’s social media about giving Roger, a regular who lives on the streets in Barming, a free meal from the shop around a year ago. Since then, they have helped feed more than 50 people.
Mrs Wallis said: “It just brings it home to you. To see it grow into this big thing is amazing. It is very humbling. We’re very proud of the wall and the bosses think it is amazing.”
The Time for the Homeless charity which feeds vulnerable people sleeping rough, got in touch with the shop to find out whether they needed any extra resources and together they decided to set up the meal donation scheme.
The charity meets every Tuesday under the arch next to the All Saints Church in Mill Street.
Volunteers serve a variety of hot meals, and also provide people with sleeping bags, toiletries and other essential items to help them survive.
It is also hosting a free sit-down Yuletide feast for people living on the streets on the evening of Tuesday, December 17.
Barming Fish and Chip shop is appealing for people to fill shoeboxes with items including socks, gloves, toothpaste and sanitary items, with fun gifts such as a pack of cards or colouring books.
Boxes can be taken to the chip shop from 4.30pm to 9.30pm Monday to Thursday and Saturday until December 20.
In addition, anyone with clothes can hand them in to the Cherry Tree Pub, Tonbridge Road.
Another business doing its bit to combat homelessness is Puddings, in Week Street.
The independent coffee shop prides itself on its community spirit and has introduced a free hot drink scheme, called Suspended Coffee, this month, for those who can’t afford it.
It encourages customers to buy one drink for themselves and pay for another, which can later be claimed by someone less fortunate.
It is open to anyone who cannot afford the hot drink and they can redeem the offer for any beverage.
Marta Obuchowicz, cafe owner, hopes it will restore community spirit. The 41-year-old, of Perch Close, Larkfield, tries to remember her customers’ orders for the next time they visit, including the favourites of homeless people in the area.
She said: “For us, it is all about the community. At one point in our lives, we have all been in a situation where we need someone to give us a hand. We need to support people. They are welcome here.”
