Cafe owner in bid to create 1,000 care packages for the homeless
‘EVERYONE DESERVES TO SMILE AT CHRISTMAS’
A kind-HEARTED business owner has set an ambitious target to help the homeless during the Christmas period.
Caz Chapman, owner of Deli Bites café, in Loughborough, is hoping to make 1,000 care packages to be distributed to homeless shelters in the town, to help the vulnerable and those living on the streets.
She has appealed to the commuand nity to help, with people asked to make up care packages themselves, and many individuals, care groups, workplaces and youth groups already on board with the project.
Caz said: “I’m aiming to make as many myself as I possibly can.
“I’ve been in contact with a few homeless shelters from here to Leicester and aim to make every person in there a care package.
“Everyone deserves to smile on Christmas.
“Each care package will have toiletries, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, biscuits, hand sanitiser and so on, any essential you need. They will be wrapped up and given out as gifts for Christmas.”
Caz has a soft spot for the homeless, and has helped support rough sleepers for the past four years, as she spent some time on the streets herself.
She has a pay it forward board in her shop, where customers can buy some food or a drink for a needy person to pick up later for free.
Customers also leave donations of clothes and toiletries for Caz to send on to shelters in the area.
So far, Caz has managed to get about 200 care packages together is waiting to hear back from several groups about how they would like to get involved.
She said: “As everyone knows, it’s been a weird and horrible year for everyone.
“I just want to pull the community together and make a positive end to the year.”
To get involved, contact Deli Bites over Facebook or call Loughborough 769361.
You can also make a donation on the good cause’s gofundme page.