KIND-HEARTED staff at a Mossley restaurant have given up their time to serve up a treat for the needy.
San Giorgio, Stamford Street, and its sister restaurant Antonio’s in Middleton have provided 2,000 free meals for those in isolation.
And a PayPal appeal for financial help to cover the cost of the food raised almost £2,000.
Anthony Owens, who only bought the two restaurants on January 1, admitted he feared the worst when lockdown was imposed towards the end of March.
He said: “I was convinced at the start the business would fold but, if that were to happen, I wanted to go out in a blaze of glory.
“There was no food in the supermarkets at the start and people were trapped at home so I thought can we do something to help?
“We put out a meals’ appeal on social media and the response was incredible as we were over-subscribed.”
The eight furloughed restaurant staff immediately offered to give their time to prepare the meals which were chilli curry, vegetable broth and beef stew.
Anthony along with waitress Abbi Hague and her mum Emma provided a delivery service to about 40 homes, not only in Mossley but also in Stalybridge, Hyde and Ashton.
“The feedback on Facebook has been exceptional, everybody has loved the food,” he explained.
Anthony has also been impressed with the way Covid-19 has produced so many uplifting stories.
“It has brought out the good in a lot of people and from a negative we have seen people come together,” he said.
Anthony is “optimistic” his business will survive given the furlough scheme for staff and other Government help.
San Giorgio has re-opened for takeaways with their chef back working permanently and waitresses on rolling three-week contracts.
Anthony is also preparing for when San Giorgio can reopen as a restaurant with a reduced capacity and plastic screens between tables.