Those who need a meal and can’t afford it are being welcomed at Dream Donair & Pizza on Argyll Rd and 99 Street.
“People are sometimes too shy to walk in and ask for help in fear of rejection,” said Mohammad Al-Faouri, who co-owns the restaurant.
“If you don’t have any money, you might be unfortunate at this time — but you can come in and have a free meal.”
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The establishment, owned by an Edmonton family, began seven years ago and has been offering free meals to those in need for the past three.
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The idea first came to them during the Fort McMurray wildfire as their way of helping evacuees during the crisis. They’ve continued to offer free meals ever since.
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Al-Faouri said they have a few people take advantage of the offer each day.
“My faith tells me to give when you are capable of giving,” Al-Faouri said.
“Canada is a giving country; it’s helped people in the country and out of the country all the time. We should be helping people all the time.”
A sign on the establishment’s front door tells patrons to come in and have a meal, “if you have no money for food.”
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Al-Faouri hopes other businesses will follow Dream Donair & Pizza’s example.
“I hope that other business owners and people see this and want to help out as well,” Al-Faouri said. “There’s a lot of people out there who are less fortunate because of the economy or whatever circumstances.”