While she was prawn-fishing over the weekend, B.C. resident Katherine Kirk devised an ingenious way to feed those in need.

含羞草研究社淚 was含羞草研究社� having a chat (with my son含羞草研究社檚 fiance) when she commented about this 含羞草研究社榩aying it forward含羞草研究社� (formula) to help people who are less fortunate than us,含羞草研究社� Kirk said. 含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檝e seen other restaurants in other towns doing it (so) I came home and just posted it on my Facebook page.含羞草研究社�

Owner of Yummies & Gyros Greek Cafe in Courtenay, Kirk adopted this new tactic, currently gaining traction in Canada and the U.S., on April 8.

As the owner explained, the idea behind this concept is quite simple.

含羞草研究社淲hen people buy a lunch, we含羞草研究社檒l put the receipt (with their name) on the bulletin board,含羞草研究社� she said. 含羞草研究社淲hoever needs a lunch can come and pick from the board and then submit the receipt to us at the till and they can get a free lunch.含羞草研究社�

In turn, the names of everyone doing a good deed will enter a draw to win a free meal in the future.

Observing firsthand the financial challenges many face due to rising living costs, Kirk emphasized that small acts of kindness can significantly impact someone含羞草研究社檚 day.

含羞草研究社淚 found people eating out of the garbage can and I含羞草研究社檝e given them food, sleeping bags and some hot chocolate,含羞草研究社� said Kirk. 含羞草研究社淏ut this isn含羞草研究社檛 just for the homeless people; it含羞草研究社檚 for the single moms, the people that are living in trailers (or) in their cars and the families that are struggling with five kids.含羞草研究社�

Twenty-five years ago, Kirk was a single mother on welfare before taking over the family business from her sister. Today, her restaurant sustains her and enables her to give back to the community; it含羞草研究社檚 in this spirit that she invites everyone who has the means to follow suit.

含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檝e had people coming in (to buy) some lunches and take them down to the guys at the recycling store (or give it to) people that are homeless out here,含羞草研究社� she said. 含羞草研究社淭here are a lot of amazing people in town who have a lot of money and want to help out.含羞草研究社�

For more information about the restaurant, visit

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