A Co Armagh chippy has successfully completed its year-long mission to feed 5,000 in the local community for free just in time for the Christmas holidays.
The benevolent takeaway company, Nantuckets operates out of three ABC council area locations; in Portadown, Lurgan and Laurelvale.
Earlier this year, owner, Dwaine Smyth said he wanted to “give back” to his community and customers saying this has always been at the forefront of what they do.
Since opening their first location in Portadown in 2017 they have regularly given away vouchers and made charitable donations.
But Dwaine said, they wanted to find a way to “really put food into the mouths of people at a grassroots level” and so heading in to 2025 the team came up a with a plan to do just that.
Across all three locations, the Nantuckets team began preparing freshly cooked meals to be given out to schoolchildren and the elderly on the last Thursday of every month… no questions asked, just turn up and be fed.
Their endeavour is also completely self-funded using all of their own stock – but Dwaine explains it’s been such a roaring success so far that they have received expressions of interest from local suppliers who wish to collaborate.
The campaign was known as ‘Feed the 5000’ and on Saturday December 13, Dwaine proudly announced that they had met their target!
Announcing their success on social media, Dwaine said: “We Did It! 5,000 free meals served in 2025.”
“At the start of this year, we made a pledge: to feed 5,000 children and elderly for free. To show love, to give back, and to support the people who have supported us.
“Every tray, every conversation at the counter, every voucher handed out at grassroots football and rugby… it all added up. It took hard work, late nights, early mornings, and a belief that this mission mattered.
“And this month…. we reached the goal.
“5,000 people fed. 5,000 moments of kindness. 5,000 reminders of why community is everything.”
In a word of thanks to all those who supported the cause, Dwaine added: “We want to thank: Our loyal customers, who make campaigns like this possible.
“Our incredible staff, who put their heart into every single service. Our community youth leaders, eldercare, coaches and local representatives, who backed us every step of the way.
“And we’re grateful for the strength, guidance, and favour that helped carry this mission from idea to reality.”
He teased: “This isn’t the finish line…. it’s just the start.”
Going into 2026, Dwaine says FeedThe5000 is “growing”, promising to make it “bigger and better” and to reach even more people.
He finished by saying: “From everyone at Nantuckets…. thank you for standing with us and helping turn this into something truly meaningful.”
