A KIND-HEARTED mum-of-four is cooking 50 meals a day for elderly and vulnerable people in the community.

Sophie Mears' generous free food parcels are being delivered to those who cannot leave their homes during the coronavirus crisis.

But the mass catering effort was close to being shut down earlier this week when Sophie was contacted by the council and told she needed a food hygiene certificate.

However, Dorset Council staff went the extra mile to help Sophie get her Food Safety and Hygiene certificates and she is now back up and running.

Sophie first thought of helping others in her community around two weeks ago as the coronavirus threat became more serious.

She said: "I thought I could do some soups, so I did some and then I had loads of mince and I spoke to a family and they said there are six of us, we're in need, can you help us? So I thought I would do them a big lasagne and it got bigger from that."

Sophie's ready supply of batch cooking - of hearty meals such as soups, stews, chilli con carne, lamb hotpot and cottage pie - is made possible through the donations of vegetables and pasta and other food she has received. Organisations and firms have volunteered to do deliveries for her, including the Soup Kitchen, the Community Fridge, Jurassic Reclamation, Boilerman and a self-employed worker.

Sophie, of Bridport, said: "I'm just one person in one kitchen but we've got to remember all the other people who are helping out no end.

"I couldn’t do it without my partner here and my kids and everyone supporting me and donating the food they have been donating because it has been amazing."

The continuation of the food delivery service was left in doubt when Sophie was contacted by Dorset Council about serving meals to the public but the situation was soon resolved.

Sophie said: "I got really emotional and was crying on the phone and he said he would take it to his team leader. I explained that I would have to put on Facebook that I can’t provide, so many people are expecting meals this evening."

Through social media, members of the community rallied round to help get Sophie's kitchen up to the required standard with a donation of an extra fridge from Bearkat Bistro, a thermometer, gloves and hygiene hampers from others.

Her service will continue as long as there is a need for food, Sophie said.

"All I want is to sit down at night with my family, have a meal and know that I have been able to help somebody else have that meal too.

"I am only doing it while it is in need and I think its amazing the soup kitchen and people like that that do it on a daily basis."

*If you know of someone who is in need of a meal from Sophie or are in need yourself, call 0754 266 5135, email sophies.slates@gmail.com or visit the Bridport Coronavirus Community Support Group on Facebook.

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