Someone claiming to be a carer duped the owner and took food for themselves
A CAFE in Barry has been tricked out of a delivery of free home-cooked meals meant for the elderly.
“I am shocked and disgusted that someone would do this knowing that it’s being donated, and potentially taking it away from someone who may genuinely need it,” said Katie Fiddler, owner of the Old Post Office Café on Holton Road.
The delivery took place on November 9 as part of the café’s new scheme to provide home-cooked meals for the elderly across the Barry area.
However, someone claiming to be the carer of an elderly couple took the food delivery for themselves.
The deception came just days after a substantial donation allowed Katie to make a greater number of deliveries.
“Everyone likes a nice warm meal, especially in the winter. If we can give that to somebody, then great.”
Some of the meals on offer include:
- Sausage, Chips & Gravy
- Lasagne, Chips & Peas
- Scampi, Chips & Peas
- Corned Beef Pie, Chips, Peas & Gravy
- Other assorted meals from the menu
Katie opened The Old Post Office Café just two weeks before lockdown and later launched the free meals scheme to help elderly customers during this time.
Since advertising via Facebook, The Old Post Office Café has seen plenty of volunteers.
Offers of help are now flooding in with locals offering to do deliveries and even wash dishes.
“The help we’ve had so far is massively appreciated.”
After initially funding the scheme herself, Katie has now turned to JustGiving to raise funds and expand it further.
“We’ve had about 20 referrals – I want it to be in the hundreds if we can.”
“If someone phones and they want a meal – no questions asked. If you need one and we can get it to you then we will.”
Despite the setback Katie remains hopeful that she can continue providing hot meals to local elderly customers throughout the winter.
“If anyone wants to come and help – get in touch. The more people that share, the more people that get referred and that means we’re feeding more people which is great. I want this to be a long-standing thing.”
The Old Post Office Café can be contacted on 07713 980545.
