A generous Annan chippy is offering free meals to kids and pensioners for the month of November.
Cafe Royal on the town’s High Street will allow people who are struggling for money to receive a small meal with no questions asked.
A fund created by the eaterie to start the offer received more than £1,000 in just 24 hours.
Owner John Pagani said: “It’s important customers don’t feel nervous, anxious or embarrassed coming in to see us. We know times are hard for a lot of people and we wanted to do something to help.
“If a child or a pensioner wants a free meal then all they need to do is ask us for a tuck in meal and our staff will let them know what we have available for them with no questions asked.”
The fund was started after an individual pledged £100 every week in November to pay for meals for those that couldn’t afford it.
Since then other businesses and members of the public have chipped in with the cafe matching donations.
John, 51, added: “We’ve had an amazing response from people on both sides – from people putting money into the pot to services that are aware of vulnerable people that can benefit from this.
“So far we have enough money in the pot for 250 meals, which is excellent. We’ve noticed this year with the pandemic that people are watching what they do with their money. With Christmas coming it’s going to get worse.
“If someone takes us up on this and it means that they don’t go hungry or with the money they’ve saved they can then buy someone a Christmas present then it will be worth it to us.
“People shouldn’t feel that it’s a handout, it’s more of a handover.”
Anyone who wants to donate to the fund can send the cafe a private message on Facebook, call them on 01461 202865 or pay in person.
