Little Dumbarton cafe with big heart helps those most in need

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A little Dumbarton cafe with a big heart is encouraging residents to enjoy a tasty meal while extending an act of kindness to those in need.Chari-Tea gives everyone access to affordable food and drink, believing everyone is entitled to a healthy meal no matter their circumstance.It operates a pay-it-forward scheme, allowing people who can afford a bite to eat can help pay for something to eat for someone who needs it.The Artizan Centre cafe is the brainchild of charity Food For Thought, which provides emergency food parcels to struggling residents across West Dunbartonshire.It also provides a place for people to fill in online benefits forms and will be used to train and provide volunteering opportunities.It’s been open since September last year but staff believe many people still don’t know about the hub, which is situated at the end of the centre.And they say it’s needed more than ever as the cost-of-living crisis hits already struggling residents even further.Lorraine McLeish, operations administrator, said: “It’s a lovely cosy cafe and the food is amazing.“I think there’s a lot of people who don’t realise the cafe is there until they walk up and see the tables and chairs outside.”Explaining how it works, she said: “The pay-it-forward scheme means our service users, or anyone who needs some help, can come into our base which is just opposite the cafe in the former Army careers office.“They then exchange it for something to eat.“It’s funded through kind donations from customers who wish to add an extra £2 to their bill.“Every time somebody eats with us, they are helping us feed those in need across West Dunbartonshire.”Award-winning head chef Eddie McGinty has 30 years experience cooking delicious food and told the