Bakers Delight Tweed City offering free bread to border residents out of work

The bakery owner is stuck living in a hotel to keep her business going which is why she’s offering this kind gesture to others struggling with the border closure.

Bakery owner Rebecca Pais has seen first hand the way border closures and lockdowns have effected the Tweed community.

She said customers who would normally come into her Bakers Delight store at Tweed City at 6am to get their lunch before work were now either not showing up or coming in later in the day appearing deflated.

It’s why she has been offering free loaves of bread daily to customers who can’t work due to border restrictions.

“We’ve heard so many of these stories, we can’t do anything other than offer the bread,” Ms Pais said.

“It’s been a big help just being able to do anything.”

Like many of her customers Ms Pais was stuck living in a hotel until she can cross home again, separated from her children and partner in Robina.

“It’s so difficult, I try and spend 10 hours in the shop and submerge myself in work,” she said.

“But getting back to the hotel, it’s dark and empty and it’s been really hard with no end in sight.”

Although a loaf of bread doesn’t sound like much, and does not come at a massive expense to the business, Ms Pais knows the difference it can make in someone’s day was priceless.

“Somebody showing you kindness when they’re in the same situation as you is worth so much more than a loaf of bread,” she said.

She said some customers have come in to claim their free loaf, then insisting on paying when they have been able to.

For other people she’s offered other free items to help make their day, whether it’s lockdown blues or separation from family. 

“We’ve shifted our focus from increasing sales, to trying to support the community around us,” she said.

“Being in lockdown is mentally hard enough.

“The most important thing is letting people know if anyone is out there, if it’s borders, lockdowns or just needing someone to talk to we are here.

“We want to be a part of the community in that way.”

Bakers Delight was located in Tweed City Shopping Centre and was open Monday to Saturday from 7am and 8am on Sundays.