AN events catering company in Dursley is using its cooking expertise to run a not for profit community kitchen, delivering food to those in isolation, especially the vulnerable and elderly.

Big Event Catering, which is based in Taits Hill Industrial Estate, lost a whole season’s bookings in a matter of hours due to COVID-19.

“But rather than mourn the catastrophic loss of our events season and how that would impact the business, we wanted to focus on what we could do to help the community,” said manager Rob Targett.

“So we decided to set up a community kitchen to help those in need.”

The team created the Severn Vale Community Kitchen, which is working with local businesses, GL11 community hub, and a group of volunteers, to deliver nutritious affordable meals to those who need them.

“We wanted our menu options to be healthy comfort food, suitable for elderly people, but also for the whole family,” said Rob.

Meals, which include vegetables or salad, are delivered to people’s doorsteps in recyclable containers suitable for freezing or microwave.

They cost £5 for a single meal, four for meals £15 or seven meals for £25.

“We are also offering subsidies to those who cannot pay,” said Rob.

“We’ve had lots of locals coming forward wanting to volunteer to help, and many elderly people calling in, so thankful that something like this has been set up.”

For more information: email food@bigeventcatering.co.uk or call 01453 708338.