A York restaurant and takeaway will open on Christmas Day to give out free food to those in need.
Middle Feast on Lendal will open from 12-2pm on Christmas day and provide a free takeaway meal for key workers like police, fire service, ambulance service and NHS staff, as well as those that are homeless, refugees, and those that are lonely and in need of some Christmas cheer.
We spoke with the owner of the Lebanese favourite Wael Garas to find out more.
“You need to give some little gift to everyone,” said Wael. “We are all like a family.
“Christmas day is a big thing here, everybody spends some money – but some people don’t have money.”
This is the first time Middle Feast will give away food on Christmas day, but Wael often will give out food to those living on the streets in York. “If you stay on the street, I have to give food or clothes.”
Wael will arrive at 7am on Christmas morning to prepare the food to be given out, and plans to use over 100 kilograms of chicken.
“If we have many people I will use more, it’s not a problem.”
Wael and his whole team will be at work on Christmas day to provide a free meal for those in need.
“I’m happy to do it. I do it for myself and my God.”
Middle Feast has been open in York for nearly eight years. They serve up a wide variety of Shawarma, as well as falafel, salads, burgers and chicken wings.
To find out more about Middle Feast, visit their website here.