Bistrot Pierre supporting pensioners with free meals
French restaurant Bistrot Pierre opened its doors to a party of pensioners all nominated from its partner charity Linking Lives Eastbourne, to enjoy a three-course Menu Pierre meal for free.
In a charitable initiative held in the run-up to Christmas, Bistrot Pierre donated a free meal to a resident, carer or charity-user for every Sunday Christmas party booking of six people of more – which resulted in 30 free lunches for local Eastbourne-based residents, enjoyed on 25th January.
Linking Lives Eastbourne offers more than just the befriending service it seems on the tin, with all round support for older residents hoping to get back to being part of the local community. From accompaniment to activities to in person visits, and even a monthly group catch-up over a cup of coffee, the charity and its volunteers are part of the fabric of Eastbourne’s culture.
Mary Northway from the charity said: “It was one of those special events where the good feeling generated goes on way after the event has finished. 30 of us gathered for the meal, a mix of volunteers, staff and Link friends on the scheme and the chat and laughter was non-stop.
“One elderly Link friend sat down, looked around and said: ‘To me this is a miracle being here’. She’d not been treated to a special meal for decades and has lived on only ready meals for a very long time. It was an incredible treat. Our very heartfelt thanks to Bistrot Pierre for their generosity and kindness in donating the meals and making the event happen.”
Community initiatives to support those in need
Linking Lives Eastbourne is one of 17 local charities that Bistrot Pierre has partnered with nationally in this initiative – all chosen for their support of older people in their communities, from befriending schemes and dementia-focused musical programmes to housing and sight assistance initiatives.
Pablo Jimenez Robles, general manager of Bistrot Pierre Eastbourne, said: “Community is at the heart of everything we do at Bistrot Pierre and our initiative has been designed to support those most in need in our local areas. January can be a challenging time of year for any resident, but for the most vulnerable amongst us, there has never been more need for communities to open their doors and welcome our residents in.
“We really enjoyed welcoming each and every guest from Linking Lives Eastbourne for a much-needed treat, a warm meal and an opportunity to create lasting memories.”
For further information about Bistrot Pierre and its support of local charities, please visit www.bistrotpierre.co.uk
