A CATERER has managed to whip up more than 5,000 meals in the last four weeks to help feed vulnerable residents – all from donated food.
Kim Clark, from Farncombe Terrace, in Evenwood, has made 5,127 meals and snacks to help feed elderly people and frontline key workers since the coronavirus lockdown began.
Ms Clark, who runs her own catering business, Kim’s Kitchen, is well known for her altruism. Each year she organises and caters a Christmas lunch for residents in the village.
However, she’s gone a step further by creating more than a 100 meals a day, all from food given by supermarkets, businesses and individuals.
She said: “Initially I made the decision to close my catering business for the time being due to the pandemic.
“But I started using left-over food from meals I’d cooked at home for the family to make up some dishes for neighbours who are elderly and couldn’t get out.”
However, after Teesdale Day Clubs contacted her to see if she or any other caterers were still running in the area to help feed older members, the kind-hearted cook offered to help out.
She added: “I did say that the business was closed, but when they said they couldn’t find any one else, I replied ‘if you get me the supplies, then I’ll do all the cooking’.”
She has been working alone at her home-registered kitchen. When all the meals are prepared, they are packaged up and placed outside her house ready for her “delivery angels” – sister Clare Burt and friends Olivia Seagrave and Sarah Linsley-Patton – to despatch them to those in need. Ms Clark said: “The amount of donations has been overwhelming. The generosity has been mind-blowing.”
Donations have flooded in from all areas including supermarket chains, bakeries closed down due to the pandemic and flour mills, as well as from individuals in the village.
“I just needed something to focus on and this is it. My daughter asked if I would be able to do 1,000 meals and I said maybe 10,000.
“There is no menu as I’m trying to create meals fresh on the day from what I have been given. I’ve been busy making dumplings for stew and fruit cobblers as I was given loads of spelt flour, which is great, but I’ve done all sorts.
“We were able to get out loads of pies and pasties, as well as cakes as Crusty Loaf got in touch as they are shut. They said take whatever I wanted from the fridge and freezer, which is just amazing.”
Ms Clark and her volunteer team have also been providing key workers in the NHS, staff at Deerbolt Prison, GP surgeries and nursing homes.
She added: “They are the frontline and I think it’s nice just to say thank you that they can sit down, have a treat and something to eat.
“I’m trying to streamline a little bit at the moment, doing the meals three days a week as it is hard work. I’m doing 12-14 hour shifts to get the stuff ready and cooking by myself, but my husband is helping with the washing up.”
“I’m trying to do my best and make the best of the situation – if we can touch those that need help and give them a meal that is what it is about.”
