Halifax Restaurant Giving Away Chicken Dinners To Those In Need
HALIFAX – Thamer Al-Rashaydeh, remembers first coming to Halifax years ago as an immigrant from Jordan. Instead of a hostile environment, Thamer recalls the warm reception he received from residents and neighbours, who made him feel like he had a new home.
“We are immigrants. We came here and the Halifax people welcomed us. I have so many friends from here,” said Thamer. “People are nice and polite…the government here and the city…and we never felt that we don’t belong here.”
“Even my parents came to visit here, and they loved Canada, they love Halifax; they love the people here.”
Since 2015, Thamer and his brother, Chico Rashaydeh, have been using Basha, their Middle Eastern restaurant on Inglis Street, to return the love to this city. For the past two Christmases, they have offered free turkey meals to people who were alone during the holidays.
“It’s for people here who don’t have their families, or who need (a meal),” said Thamer.
And now that many are struggling financially through the COVID-19 crisis, Basha is offering a free chicken and rice dinner to those who are going hungry.
“We like the community here and this is our community. We live here; if we don’t stand with each other and help each other, we’re going to struggle,” said Thamer.
“This is the time we should help each other and stand by each other to get through this crisis.”
So far, Basha has given away around 300 of these meals so far. When people come into the restaurant to inquire about the free dinner, Thamer trusts that people are being honest.
“We give them food; we don’t ask them questions,” he said.
The response from the Halifax community has been one of deep gratitude. A local church gave the brothers $100 to contribute to the cost of providing the meals. Other customers have also given what they can as donations.
Restaurant-goers were also found it heartwarming when they discovered what Basha was doing, through social media. Lisa Lawrence said she will be buying more meals from Basha in the future.
“I’m lucky enough that I won’t need to take advantage of it, however, I will be supporting them more often in the future and encouraging others as well,” said Lawrence. “It’s hard times, and this is such a kind thing to offer those who need it.”
Lisa, who has eaten at Basha before, also gave credit to the restaurant for their “delicious food, and very friendly, welcoming staff.”
Like most businesses, Basha too has been hit hard by the pandemic. Restaurants in Nova have been mandated to close their dining areas and operate as takeout or delivery only. So far, Thamer and Chico have yet to lay off any of their employees and they plan to keep giving away their free chicken to the hungry “as long as possible.”
“We’re doing okay for now, but definitely way slower than before,” said Thamer.