Owners at the Hearty Goodfellow on Church Street, Southwell, deliver 100 bowls of soup a day to those in need during coronavirus pandemic
Pub owners are helping their community by delivering up to 100 bowls of soup a day to those in need of social interaction and fresh food.
The Hearty Goodfellow on Church Street, Southwell, first started supporting those who felt socially isolated at Christmas.
A sanctuary area at the back of the bar was opened to those who didn’t feel comfortable using the pub, but wanted to spend time with others during the festive season.
More than 20 residents from around Southwell used the service.
“We started a community supper every month from then, but we couldn’t continue with it because of the coronavirus,” said Lisa White, who owns the pub with her partner, William.
“The best way to continue to make something as ideal as possible for everybody was soup. Every day we go out and deliver the fresh soup, made with fresh vegetables.”
The service, which goes by the name Turtle Doves, is aimed at older residents who cannot leave their homes because of the coronavirus, or who live on their own and rely on seeing others to keep their mental well-being in a positive state.
Lisa thanked the services of Maxey’s Farm Shop, Kirklington, which has donated fresh vegetables for the soup.
She also praised the team of delivery drivers for giving their free time during the pandemic.
“It is also nice because we are letting the community know that we are there for them,” she said.
“It is a way of checking in every day because lots of people are lonely.
“We go to a lot of homes of people in their 80s and 90s and their carers might not always be able to get to them, so it is a way of knocking on the door and re-assuring them.”
Lisa said the soup distribution would continue to be free, and will be for as long as it takes for the community to get back up and running.
Ken and Margaret Beckett, of Easthorpe, receive the soup daily.
Mrs Beckett, 77, said: “It is a lovely gesture. We get a different flavour every day left on our doorstep and it is beautifully presented.
“With all the bad new in the news at the moment, it is great that someone is thinking of others. We cannot express how grateful we are. We hope that when all this is over, people will remember this kind gesture and support the pub when the restrictions are lifted.”
Mrs Beckett lives with her husband, Ken, 80, who is self-isolating.
But the couple are well supported by neighbours and by a town council scheme that sees volunteers delivering essential items.
Mrs Beckett said: “We have been really touched by all the help we have received. We could not have managed without it.”
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