Darnhill comes together to give back to the community this Christmas

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

Darnhill library

An Indian takeaway in Darnhill has joined forces with a local charity to feed the local community over the festive period.

Jenny Kennedy, of Restoring Hope, will be opening Darnhill Library on Argyle Parade on Tuesday 27 December to distribute groceries, and management at the Royal Bengal will join her and cook one hundred hot meals.

Jenny said: “Hasnath Aziz who owns the Royal Bengal has said he will come in and cook, and we can all eat together. The community café staff are happy to join us and open up the café, so people all get a hot meal and go home with a bag full of groceries.”

Groceries will be given as part of the food pantry scheme, costing £3.50 in exchange for around £15 to £20 worth of goods.

Hasnath said: “We wish to give back to the community as a gesture of goodwill during the festive season, a time where we remember others through acts of kindness.

“We’ve been operating for just over a year now, during this time we have supported local activists and charities like Restoring Hope, to provide support to families who are struggling and local community initiatives in general.

“The area is hugely economically malnourished, with the cost-of-living crisis exacerbating hardships faced by the community in general. Restoring Hope runs a weekly community café where families can come for a place to warm up with a tea or coffee and some hot food. Most importantly, the community café serves as a place where families and individuals of all ages can come to talk and feel valued.”

He added: “This ear, we would like to play our part in the community by supporting not just those who are feeling the consequences of the cost-of-living crisis but anyone who just wants to sit and talk.

“So, this year, we’ve decided to invite the community to our local Darnhill Library, from where the community café operates, to enjoy some hot and lovely food and snacks on us. We will be hosting the community get together on 27 December, inviting anyone and everyone in the community to come together and enjoy the festive season.”

The library will be open from 3pm to 6pm on 27 December, and will be serving Indian food, with mild options available.