Coronavirus: Hotel offers free meal a day to elderly neighbours
FREE meals are being offered by a local hotel to elderly residents in its neighbourhood as social distancing becomes the norm in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Duke of Richmond Hotel announced its plans via social media on Saturday and general manager Gavin Byrne said the response was overwhelming.
‘We appreciate that for some of our elderly neighbours it will not be possible to get to a supermarket or restaurant and we want you to know that we are here to help,’ said the announcement.
People who live near the hotel can call before 1pm and will have dinner delivered that evening, with no charge for the food or the delivery.
‘I saw someone was doing it back home in Ireland,’ said Mr Byrne, who put the idea to his management team who liked it, and then to the managing director of Red Carnation Hotels in the island: ‘He said “wonderful”.
‘We’re not as busy as we’d like to be so this is putting our teams and skills to good use.
‘Basically, it’s going to be very hearty, homely food, simply done well.
‘We will have a Monday to Sunday menu and we’ll do our best to accommodate people who are in real need.’
Initially the offer will probably cover an area from L’Hyvreuse to Candie Road, but, he said, that depending on its success, it might be extended further.
After the food is prepared by the hotel chefs, it will be delivered on foot by staff members.
Although part of a group of hotels, the Duke of Richmond is the only one offering this service at the moment: ‘But there are lots of hotels and restaurants in the island so hopefully others will pick it up,’ said Mr Byrne.
The idea received a warm welcome on social media, and director of public health Dr Nicola Brink echoed the thoughts of many in response to the announcement.
‘Thank you so much,’ she tweeted. ‘This is our community working together with individuals and businesses going above and beyond.’
