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Businesses come together to serve free meals to community

BBC Arek has his arm around Monika - both wearing black clothes and black arpons, smiling facing just off to the right of the shot. You can also see the soup container behind him, as well as a door leading to the kitchen.BBC
Arek and Monika Kornak run a takeaway in the village

A couple has decided to bring together local businesses and help their community by preparing free hot meals for vulnerable residents.

Monika and Arek Kornak run the Bits n Pizzas takeaway in Williton, Somerset, which they took on during the pandemic.

Every week the pair, along with neighbouring shops, offer takeaway of a home cooked meal - no questions asked.

Mrs Kornak said: "We figured out it would be lovely to give back to the community that welcomed us with open arms when we started taking over the business."

A table set up outside, with paper bags full of croutons on the right of the shot, with a soup cauldron in the middle. Surrounding the cauldron is paper cups and lids.
The couple started with pumpkin soup - but hopes to be able to cook more in the coming weeks

The couple has already had donations of food and utensils from neighbouring businesses, Mrs Kornak said, adding: "We've come across nothing but willingness to help... there's more and more people that are getting involved."

"We moved here during the pandemic and it can be quite isolating... embedding ourselves into the community was so easy and everybody was really open," She explained.

"We don't ask any questions, you just take any portions you need and off you go."

On the left of the shop is an industrial pan full of soup, with a ladle hanging in there, and on the right is Sam, wearing black clothes and a black apron. She is stood in the takeaway's kitchen.
Volunteer Sam Harrod said she wants to 'give back'

Sam Harrod, a volunteer at the takeaway, said: "I'm a very charitable person and you never know when you're going to be struggling... it's just nice to give back and be able to help people and say 'I've helped people in a worse situation than I am'."

Mr Kornak said he is willing to cook anything to help - but it depends on what gets donated.

"If we're going to get more people together, more places together, more donations together, I don't mind cooking different things like curries, stews - something warm and nice for people."

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