THE festive season is associated with overindulgence in food and drink; but one good Samaritan is aware that not everyone can cook for themselves and has a freezer full of home-made meals ready and waiting for people in need to come forward for help.

Gunnislake resident Adam Corrigan and his family have been busy cooking up batches of soups, stews, bolognese and cottage pies.

They divide them into one-meal servings and store them in the freezer ready to give to anyone in need in a bid to help elderly and vulnerable people who for one reason or another, may not be able to cook for themselves.

Adam said he felt compelled to do something to help after joining a local Facebook group ‘Help the elderly and vulnerable by donating and appealing’ and started by making extra portions when cooking for his family of six.

‘It started with the group on Facebook,’ he said. ‘There was an older gentleman who had two dogs. One had died and he had big vet bills to pay and he couldn’t afford to feed himself. Somebody asked for help for him on the page, so I made up some meals and delivered them to him.

‘It’s about trying to look out for older and vulnerable people in our community. It may be people who can’t access foodbanks or are too proud, or maybe somebody knows someone who needs help.’

Adam said now he is trying to find people who are in need of the service.

‘I’m trying to find people who know someone who needs help with cooking — a neighbour or relative. It’s not just for people who can’t afford to eat, it could be that someone physically cannot cook for themselves — maybe they have broken their arm or have been ill. It’s about helping anyone who needs it. Foodbanks are great for people who can’t afford to buy food but you still need to be able to physically cook the food.

‘I’ve been cooking one meal dishes and stacking them in the freezer so if anybody does need help, I can give them a stack of five meals and they are set for the week. I try to keep 10 meals at a time in the freezer and can easily keep it topped up.’

Adam said he hasn’t had many people coming forward at the moment and wants to make people aware that this service is there if anyone needs it.

‘I’ve always had the principle that if I’ve got food and clothes then I am in a position to help other people. This is such a simple thing to do, it takes no time to put something in the slow cooker or knock up a batch of bolognese.’

The meals Adam makes are all cooked from scratch, nothing processed, using fresh ingredients.

Rachel Coleman, from East Cornwall, who set up the Facebook page, said: ‘I created this group as a friend of mine knew an elderly gentleman struggling to feed himself and keep warm. Social and other organisations didn’t seem to be helping fast enough. I also help many others if I can in many different ways. I don’t like seeing the homeless and elderly suffering in this country — it amazes me how many there are. If this page helps one or 100 people, I will be happy knowing that I have made someone’s life easier and happier.’

Rachel said she was pleased to see other people, like Adam, joining the group to offer help: ‘It’s nice to still see some kind, genuine people willing to help others. There is too much hate and greed these days. Charity always starts at home, I was taught.’

Anyone who is in need of a few pre-cooked meals can leave a message on the Facebook page ‘Help the elderly and vulnerable by donating and appealing’ or contact Adam directly on 01822 833712.

l There are also still places available for a free Christmas turkey dinner with all the trimmings at noon at Tavistock United Reformed Church in Russell Street on Christmas Day.

Free transport to and from the event is offered, but booking for the meal is essential.

Call 01822 614613 with your details or pop into the Lower Deck Café (underneath the church) tomorrow (Friday) morning.