This Fareham barber has set up a makeshift food bank from closed shop - and needs your help

A MAKESHIFT food bank has been set up within a Fareham barber shop which had to close due to the coronavirus guidelines.
Belinda Dickins
By Belinda Dickins
Published 27th Mar 2020, 06:00 BST
Updated 27th Mar 2020, 11:56 BST
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Wanting to make a difference in the community, Dom Valente has started to collect donations of dry goods at his Miller Drive business, Razor Sharp Barbers.

Tins, packets and other items can be dropped off from 9am to 11am on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, and Dom will be delivering food parcels on Wednesday and Friday from 9am.

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It all started when Dom and his colleague Jake Bascombe spent their weekly tips on food from their nearest shop to offer to NHS workers for free - but it has evolved into support for anyone who needs it.

Dom Valente, owner of Razor Sharp Barbers in Miller Drive Fareham, has set up a makeshift food bank to help the community during the coronavirus pandemicDom Valente, owner of Razor Sharp Barbers in Miller Drive Fareham, has set up a makeshift food bank to help the community during the coronavirus pandemic
Dom Valente, owner of Razor Sharp Barbers in Miller Drive Fareham, has set up a makeshift food bank to help the community during the coronavirus pandemic
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More than 27,000 people viewed the original Facebook post in seven hours and requests for help were being sent to the page, which led the 46-year-old to think about what more he could do.

Dom, from Portchester, said: ‘It would be brilliant if we could get some interest in it and get it off the ground. It’s difficult at the moment, I’ve got no more money than anyone else, I can’t continue to do it all on my own.

‘There are a lot of people who are really struggling, it’s just such a shame that there are people actually living day to day.

Dom Valente, owner of Razor Sharp Barbers in Miller Drive Fareham, has set up a makeshift food bank to help the community during the coronavirus pandemicDom Valente, owner of Razor Sharp Barbers in Miller Drive Fareham, has set up a makeshift food bank to help the community during the coronavirus pandemic
Dom Valente, owner of Razor Sharp Barbers in Miller Drive Fareham, has set up a makeshift food bank to help the community during the coronavirus pandemic
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‘I don’t want any gratitude from anyone, I just want people to think like myself to help where we can.’

SEE ALSO: Hayling Island mum urges people to stay inside with heart-wrenching image of the reality of family life

This comes after the Fareham and Gosport Basics Bank announced it had to close, as it has run out of volunteers who can keep the food bank running.

Dom is determined to provide help wherever it is needed. He said: ‘Because I have so much room at the back of the shop, it's something we can carry on because there are always people in need.

‘People can contact through the Facebook page and every message I receive is treated in confidence because some people are embarrassed to do it.

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‘These are unprecedented times which we have never seen the likes of before so some people are going to find it hard to ask for help. We’re a proud nation and sometimes people are scared to reach out.’

Related topics:FarehamFacebookPortchesterNHS

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