A Brighton pub is in the running for a £10,000 prize for “feeding the community” during the coronavirus lockdown.
The Bevy is one of seven pubs shortlisted for the prize at the Great British Pub Awards and is urging people to take just a few seconds to vote.
To vote for the Bevy, click here.
Even before the lockdown, the community pub, in Hillside, Moulsecoomb, already laid on food for older people in the local area, with its popular lunch clubs.
But when customers were no longer allowed in Bevy, the Bevy went to them, delivering “Bevy Meals on Wheels” to vulnerable neighbours.
Helen Jones, who has been co-ordinating Bevy Meals on Wheels, said “Running two weekly Lunch Clubs and a Dementia Club we were well aware of the existing social isolation and loneliness among local seniors.
“So we did a ring around to see who would like a meal during the lockdown period, especially since over seventies had been advised to stay indoors.
“We’ve worked with partners across our community from churches and charities to schools and have been able to contact so many people who would have been terribly isolated.
“In addition to making sure no one went hungry, the deliveries were an opportunity to safely make social contact and find out if people needed help as well as providing a little bit of structure and connection to the outside world and letting people know that they are cared about.”
The Bevy has now delivered more than 5,000 meals to vulnerable people, including the elderly, those shielding and local families.
The service is still going, funded by donations from the public for those who can’t afford to pay for the meals themselves.
The pub reopened late last month with a food menu available to enjoy in the pub garden – and with its kitchen accepting takeaway orders.
The Bevy said: “On Wednesdays, some of the seniors now come to the pub garden for a socially distanced lunch, chat and some entertainment in collaboration with local charity Gladrags.”
Bevy chair Warren Carter said: “When the lockdown happened it was a no-brainer to help out the people who usually come to the pub for food, drink and company.
“It’s fantastic to be recognised in the Great British Pub Awards and we hope this means more people hear about what we’re doing and come and visit us.
They got paid for the food. The pub lives off grants.