A BAKER based in Lifton is doing their bit to support struggling families.
Melissa Thomas is behind popular local bakery Drizzle and Drip. Recently, she took to social media to offer her services to those who might find themselves in hardship.
In a post, she said: “Times are hard for lots of people at the moment and people have had to scale back on their spending to avoid losing their homes, because they've lost their job, because they are between houses in temporary accommodation and lots of other reasons.
“While I'm not able to take orders at the moment, I'd like to donate some of my time and ingredients to help those in need. Therefore, if you or anyone you know is struggling financially due to unforeseen circumstances and have a child's birthday coming up, please reach out to me via this page so we can discuss a cake or cupcake donation.
“My time is stretched and funds are limited so I may not be able to help every family that gets in contact, but will try to help as many as I can.
“Cakes would need to be collected from my home in Lifton, however if you have no transport or anyone to collect on your behalf then we can work something out.”
Melissa has been working as a self-employed cake baker before she heads off to university. Previously working at Cornwall Council, she took on selling cakes to fill a financial gap – however, it was also something she enjoyed greatly.
Speaking to the Post, she explained: “Now I've stopped taking orders as I'm going to find it hard fitting in baking cakes around university, my two young children and my other two jobs, but I still love to bake and want to continue as a hobby so I had the idea of donating cakes to local families who are struggling financially.”
Melissa explained that she has seen first-hand how financial struggles can fit families in Cornwall.
She continued: “In my previous job role I worked as a family worker in children's services at Cornwall council, so I saw first-hand how financial hardship is impacting children and families in our community.
“Often when families are living in poverty, the children don't get to enjoy things like a birthday cake so I'm offering to bake a child their birthday cake for free if a family reach out to me and I have space in my diary.
“I'm not going to be able to help every single family that get in touch with me, but I will try to help as many as I can.”
Melissa has said that anyone interested should get in touch via her Facebook page.