A town cafe has teamed up with cooks and food producers to offer a free community meal for the second year running.

The Pulse in Park Road, Sittingbourne, will host the drop-in event on Monday, December 22, between 1pm and 4pm.

Soupy Loopy (Sittingbourne), The Goods Shed (Canterbury), The Cheesemakers of Canterbury, Macknade Fine Foods (Faversham), Fruit Cake Preserves (Faversham) and Wild Bread (Faversham) among others are donating items for the occasion.

There will be a variety of foods from different cultures, suitable for vegetarians and people who are dairy or gluten intolerant.

This will be followed by a free film screening of It’s a Wonderful Life by Swale Film Society from 6pm.

Since July last year, the Pulse has been supporting the Suspended Coffees scheme where people can pay for a coffee in advance for someone else to claim at a later date.

It was this which inspired the team to take the idea further as the weather turned colder.

Manager Louise Allen said: “There are a lot of people in Sittingbourne who might be in need of a hot drink and some food, and somewhere warm and friendly to enjoy it, but they may not have the money.

“Thanks to the generosity of our suppliers and local food producers this is the second year we have been able to run this kind of event and we are delighted to be able to invite customers, friends and local residents to join us again for an afternoon and evening of festivities in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.”

People will be invited to make a donation of whatever they can towards the meal and profits will go towards refurbishment costs at the venue.

To get involved call Hannah Parathian on 07889 914899 or email hannah.parathian@skillnetgroup.co.uk