By Elli Collins and Ilaria Mastio
COVID-19 has caused many people to become dependent on food banks and businesses donating food, since they got furloughed or lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic.
A small business in west London is taking this on board by donating hundreds of lunches for children, thanks to the donations of local residents.
Maryam’s Kitchen, based in South Ealing, is helping to feed families who are struggling during this difficult time.
Azin Jafari, 27, Maryam’s daughter, works with her mum at Maryam’s Kitchen. “In October, we served nearly 100 lunches a day, and raised almost £5,000 in donations. Now, in January, we are serving more and more lunches every day, raising lots of money and recruiting new volunteers all the time,” she said.
“We were able to use the money raised in October for Christmas, extending our project and feeding families during the festive period.”
Teaming up to help
The business teamed up with Educare Family Support Service over Christmas, providing hampers for the families chosen via a school referral programme.
The hampers include all the ingredients needed to make a traditional Christmas dinner, as well as toys, children’s books, and gifts.
“Thanks to Maryam’s Kitchen, I managed to feed my children during the past year,” said Karen Taggart, 47, single mum and part-time cleaner at Grande Primary School in Ealing.
“They also supplied our Christmas dinner, and the holidays felt less lonely because we still managed to have food during these difficult times.”
When they’re not making Christmas hampers, Maryam’s Kitchen staff are catering to the needs of parents all year round.
They mostly cook Persian and Iranian food, and these meals are accessible for everyone because they use Halal meat, catering to most religions.
Helping those in need
“As part of the community, I felt like I needed to help the ones in need. I had to close my business a few times during the past year, and I wanted to do something in the meantime. I know lots of people are struggling, and I’m trying to do my part to help them,” said Maryam Shams, 51, owner of Maryam’s Kitchen.
When England went into another lockdown, Maryam’s Kitchen decided to carry on preparing meals for the vulnerable and children on free school meals whose parents can’t afford to buy them lunch.
With the business gaining more and more volunteers everyday, they are able to cater for lots of children, and people in need of food.
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