The Salvation Army has launched a new scheme so people can help provide a hot meal for someone in a time of crisis by donating £1.
The Pay It Forward scheme, which has been launched in Barrow, runs from its weekly lunch club and gives the community the opportunity to buy a hot meal for a suggested minimum donation of £1.
Recipients could include people who are homeless or struggling with the cost of living who want to attend the lunch club but might not have the means to pay.
Taking place on Fridays from noon to 1pm at the church and community centre on Abbey Road, attendees of the lunch club can enjoy a two-course hot meal with refreshments, paying what they can afford but with the minimum suggested donation being £1.
Names can be added to a list to reserve a place from 10am to noon and food will be served at 12.30pm.
When buying their meal, people can opt to pay for an additional meal for someone who cannot afford to pay themselves, ‘paying it forward’; the act of doing something kind for someone else.
Captain Sarah Griffiths, church leader of The Salvation Army in Barrow, said: “Times can be tough for everyone, but we know that for some people within our community, they are really struggling and in times of crisis, being pushed into poverty and struggling to afford to eat and pay their bills.
“Our lunch club is an opportunity for people to come together, share a lunch and, if they wish, conversation. People joining us can choose to pay for someone else’s place if they can afford to do so, spreading kindness and showing the commitment to supporting their neighbours. We look forward to welcoming everyone and encourage all to attend.”
For anyone wishing to support the Pay It Forward scheme and the work of The Salvation Army across Barrow, financial donations are accepted and while donations of all sizes are welcome, people are encouraged to donate only what they can afford.
The Salvation Army in Barrow has a Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/salvationarmybarrow.
