Kerry and Nisha catering for their community before lockdown

Before the Prime minister's announcement of the lockdown, on the 23rd March, Kerry Brennan and Nisha Flowers, both 34, wanted to do something positive for the community as the coronavirus outbreak put pressure on food banks and forced elderly people to isolate at home.  

The pair rented out a village hall and cooked 68 meals which they delivered to people across East Sussex. “There are people in the community that are very disadvantaged,” said Kerry.

After putting out a social media appeal, Kerry said a GP contacted them and asked them to help vulnerable patients who can’t get out the house and don’t have a family to help them. 

But also among the people, one of whom was a mother with two children who hadn’t eaten in days. “She had fed her children but was really hungry, It’s really quite shocking, to be honest. I thought it would just be elderly people in need.”

They made meals with fresh local ingredients and made their deliveries across East Sussex wearing gloves and masks and kept at a distance. Kerry said, “The government has said there going to put free school meals into vouchers. But that’s going to take a while to implement. These people need it now!".

Nisha was first inspired when she met an 82-year-old man who hadn't had a hot meal in days. She persuaded the pub to donate some ingredients and cooked up 40 meals for people in need to come and collect. 

That’s when Kerry decided to team up with her. They gathered £100 worth of donations, bought a bunch of ingredients, and hired out Berwick Village Hall to cook.

Please keep in mind that this act of kindness and generosity occurred before the government's announcement of the lockdown. For informative films and advice on keeping yourself and your loved ones safe during the COVID-19 outbreak please click HERE.