The Christmas dinner that grew: How one free meal led to more than 10,000
When Hasnath Mia was homeless, a woman called Anne gave him a free meal when he was sleeping rough - and he promised he would one day return the favour.
Wednesday 21 December 2022 09:14, UK
Ten years ago when Hasnath Miah was homeless, someone gave him a free meal on Christmas day.
A decade, and 10,000 free food packages later, he said he is still repaying the favour.
Mr Miah, who runs Indian Dream in Didcot, started giving away free meals at the start of the pandemic.
Cost of living calendar - reveal a different story every day
After first starting on dedicated days, Mr Miah will now give food to anyone who needs it, seven days a week.
And Christmas day will be no different.
The business owner used to be homeless, and 10 years ago a woman called Anne gave him a free meal when he was sleeping rough.
"I promised myself, if I ever had a restaurant or any position, I would do the same thing to help people.
"So I keep my promise."
Amid the soaring cost of living, Hasnath said he doesn't want people to feel embarrassed if they need free food.
"I tell them to come in, we will act like you have paid and you can take the food," he said.
"We can do it completely privately."
And despite the impact of inflation on his own business - with the cost of food and energy on the rise - Mr Miah said he has no plans of stopping his free food.
"I don't see any way I am going to stop," he said.
"Because we don't need a million pounds for living. We just need basic things - food, a cup of tea, maybe once a year you have a holiday.
"That's what we need. We don't need millions in our bank, or a posh car or posh house.
"I don't believe we need this."
This interview with Mr Miah was conducted at the end of November. Unfortunately, between that time and its publication, Mr Miah has sadly died. A fundraiser has been launched in memory of the "man with a heart of gold".