By Bejay Browne
A PAPHOS CHARITY which is helping to feed hundreds of needy families is aiming to open a dedicated non profit coffee shop in around a week’s time.
Solidarity charity is calling on the public to get behind the scheme to help kit out their new premises. The new project has the support of the Orthodox Church.
“We are desperate for donations of chairs, tables, sofas, cups, glasses, plates and cutlery. We also need a bar,” said Pavlina Patsalou, one of the founders of the charity which is currently feeding in excess of 900 families in the district, providing them with the basic essentials and whatever other food is donated.
“The new premises belong to the church and they are very supportive of the idea. They have given it rent free for an initial period of six months and we can’t thank them enough.”
On Friday the charity signed a six month contract for the 100m2 shop which also has outside space and is situated in Paphos old town. The premises will now be spruced up and painted by volunteers.
“We wanted to do something to help and we are aware of everything that Solidarity is doing for the needy families in Paphos,” said Bishop Georgios of Paphos.
The coffee shop will serve teas, coffees and other beverages along with cakes and sweets.
“We need as many people as possible to help. Everything we sell will be donated and all of the money which we take will go to Solidarity,” said Patsalou.
The charity which was set up in 2012 has long been searching for a suitable venue in order to secure a steady income and enable them to hold fundraising events.
The determined charity founder stressed any donations would be welcome.
“I’m sure that everything in the new café will be mismatched, but we are very grateful for anything which people can spare. It’s important that the charity is sustained in order to help the growing numbers of needy in Paphos,” she said.
Patsalou said that many families continue to live in real poverty. Some have children to look after and have no electricity or water. She added that the problem is getting out of control all over the island. On Friday, the charity helped a Limassol-based family who said their local charity was no longer able to help them.
“The wife is being treated for cancer and her husband is out of work. They have two daughters and they were only helped for three months by their local charity, as they can’t cope with so many people. She was visiting Paphos hospital, so we gave her a food parcel to take home to her family,” said Patsalou. ”It’s heartbreaking.”
The charity also goes out of its way to help individuals and families who don’t meet the criteria for aid from the social welfare department.
“We really need the public’s help to start our coffee shop. It will mean that we will be able to continue to help families and individuals who are desperate,” Patsalou pleaded:
Donations may be taken to Patsalous’ children’s clothing shop, any of the drop-off points listed on the website www.solidaritypaphos.com, or the Solidarity house in Paphos with prior arrangement. For further information or to volunteer, call Pavlina Patsalou on 99220152
