Local businesses have teamed-up with homeless Charity NishkamSWAT to deliver food to those most in need in Reading.  

Barny Bains, Franchisee for Papa Johns in Shinfield Road, has been working closely with the charity for six years and is encouraging more local businesses to become involved. 

He said “The Sikh charity NishkamSWAT helps unite and transform financially disadvantaged communities by focusing on projects which make a difference to people’s lives in the short term and improve their prospects in the long term. 

“However, we are just one of several local businesses supporting the charity and we’d like to invite more organisations to get involved.  For us, delivering pizza is a small contribution but it means a lot for disadvantaged people in our community.

NishkamSWAT, which was awarded a Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2019, provides meals on a Wednesday (7pm - 7.50pm) & Sunday (6pm - 6.50pm) evening through their homeless project outside the Old Town Hall.

Rupee Chagar, lead volunteer NishkamSWAT in Reading confirms: “We have around 25 active volunteers, and run purely on donations, serving hot food for 180-200 people in Reading every week.  If that’s a family, or someone in a suit struggling on a low income, we don’t judge and welcome anyone in real need."

Barny Bains, who also runs three other Papa Johns stores in the area, employing more than 70 people is committed to the cause.

He said “Community is so important to us and if we can give something back it is always worthwhile.”