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Funding from ABN AMRO will enable the Caritas Community Charitable Trust to employ a part-time chef for its community café.
The café in Mill Street, which is run entirely by volunteers, is open six days a week and serves more than 300 customers every week. As a community café, it offers a suspended payment scheme so customers can overpay and the additional money is used to offer a free meal, primarily to those who are unable to pay.
"We have always been very lucky to have volunteer chefs who are willing to take on some shifts to help out. At the moment, we don’t have any and so I am in the kitchen six days a week," said Reverend Richard Bellinger, who oversees the management of the café.
"That means I’m unable to give my time to other matters which require my attention as we look to continue and expand the work of Caritas in supporting young people in difficulty, distress or need as well as those in the youth justice system."
ABN AMRO has stepped in and agreed to cover the cost of Len Le Prevost to work two days a week for three months until the end of 2015.
"Caritas is hoping to be able to employ a chef in 2016 but thanks to ABN AMRO’s continuing support, we can now employ someone twice a week for the rest of 2015 which will free up some of my time," said Reverend Bellinger.
"Employing a chef will also allow us to extend our daily changing menu as we are building up a loyal customer base. It’s wonderful to see such a huge variety of people coming through the door; the café welcomes everyone and through God’s abundant love, we are breaking down barriers between those that have very little and those who have plenty."
Last summer ABN AMRO chose the Caritas Community Charitable Trust as the beneficiary of its culinary efforts during Seafront Sundays. Money raised was used to pay off a third of the cost of installing the commercial standard kitchen in the café.
"The café has become a real hub of activity and provides support to so many people. Richard appears to have endless energy and enthusiasm and so by ABN AMRO providing the funding for a part-time chef, it allows him to put his time to better use and further the charity’s work, which is helping to change lives," said Iain Lowe, HR manager for ABN AMRO.
Earlier this year, Reverend Bellinger was named the Specsavers Unsung Hero and Caritas receive the Guernsey Post Humble Volunteer of the Year award at the Customer Service Awards. The charity has finished the year by being named as charity of the year at the Community Awards with Reverend Bellinger shortlisted in the outstanding volunteer category.
"The support we continue to receive from the public and from companies like ABN AMRO never ceases to amaze me. The charity is proof that with determination, dedicated volunteers and the backing of the community, we can make a difference," said Reverend Bellinger.
Anyone interested in volunteering with Caritas can contact Reverend Bellinger on 712138.
