Anthony Small has been taking his work from the Cliff Bakery to the streets of The City to help the homeless who are feeling increased pressure during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Small, who considers himself an “allrounder” at the bakery, said some days there is pastry still remaining at the close of business and he decided to start sharing with the homeless about three weeks ago.
“Some evenings we have a lot left back when we are about to close up so I have decided to bring some to feed the homeless and I buy some juices out of my money and . . . once I have something I come and give them every evening,” Small told NationNews on May 5.
“I am very aware of how it is for some people not having anything even in the good times, and I know it is much harder for them in these bad times. So rather than throw away the stuff I thought it would be a good gesture to just give it to somebody who can actually use it.
Small has been employed by the Cliff Management Company since 1997. He started at Cliff Restaurant as a waiter and worked his way up to restaurant manager.
He explained his move to the bakery, located in Derricks, St James: “When the [COVID-19] pandemic hit, the restaurant closed and the bakery kept on running. I transitioned to the bakery. I do what is necessary to help keep the bakery running. I don’t consider myself a manager there. I consider myself as part of the team,” he said.
Before starting the food dustribution initiative, Small sought the approval of management.
“I spoke to the owner and . . . the first time I did it I let them know and they said they had no problem with it.”
Small said he wanted to help vulnerable people because he can relate to their struggles.
“I feel their pain because really and truly I came up pretty poor myself, I came from a family where it was my mother struggling to feed three boy children and we had it fairly rough. I am a little more fortunate now so I can relate to what a lot of these people are going through. Not to the extent that they are at right now but I know what it is to go days without food,” he said. (KG)
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