Serving compassion: Edmonton Sikh pizza shop owner offers free meals to anyone in need
CBC
Just seven months after opening his pizza and donair shop in southeast Edmonton, Rajwinder Singh decided it was time to give back to the community.
In late November 2023, he started setting aside 10 free meals to anyone in need on a weekly basis.
He credited the idea to his faith, Sikhism and the timing to the celebration of its founder, Guru Nanak's birthday.
"We are just following their path," Singh said.
Langar, a community kitchen that provides free meals, is a centuries old practice of the Sikh faith.
The concept was introduced by Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, and was institutionalized and made into an organized operation by his successors.
Singh chose the number of meals based on Sikh principle of donating 10 per cent of your income.
He said he has provided free meals from his store Pizza Talks & Donair to individuals and families as well as people who have visited his store once or others who are more regular.
"We have one family here and they live in a van. They usually park here overnight and we told them to come every other day and get the meal," he said.
During the cold snap when the business didn't see much foot-traffic, Singh said he took the meals downtown to be distributed among the vulnerable population there.
Singh opened store with his sister last April. Both siblings have a background in hotel and restaurant management.
Despite rising costs affecting their business, Singh is steadfast on his commitment to support those in need.
"Our heart is with those people because we are new in the business," he said.
He admitted the business was yet to turn a profit, but also said that is to be expected for a new business.
What started out as a class project has landed four University of Guelph students in the finals of the NHL and NHLPA Hockey Innovation Competition in Ottawa.
A new generation of kids on Prince Edward Island will get a chance to peep through the Polka Dot Door this summer.
Five athletes from Mistissini are gearing up to ride 1,000 kilometres this summer as part of Quebec’s Grand défi cycling challenge, but first they need to raise $13,500 to support the ride.
A Toronto non-profit says it's launched the province's first harm reduction program for adults with intellectual disabilities.
In Havana on Friday, Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío Domínguez argued that Canada should maintain the commercial relationship with Cuba that has made it the country's largest foreign investor after Spain.
About 100 people gathered outside the Colonial Building in St. John’s on Saturday for an anti-war rally. They were met with some counter-protesters, highlighting different views on the Iran war.
The two candidates hoping to become Quebec's next premier in less than a month took part in a first official sparring match Saturday, with Christine Fréchette accusing her opponent of having a big ego and bringing the debate over shale gas back to the forefront.
Amanda Lathlin, the first First Nations woman to be elected to the legislative assembly in Manitoba's history, has died, the provincial NDP said on Saturday.
Colten Poitras describes Indian relay as an extreme sport.
After more than 48 hours of heavy rainfall, conditions began to ease Saturday morning, but the City of Fernie, B.C., says untreated wastewater is still being released into the Elk River.
An Alberta town reeling from the loss of its rinks has advanced to the final stage of a national competition, with $250,000 on the line.
Members of the new Arctic Canada Tourism Network want to make sure their industry has a voice in conversations about the future of the Arctic.
People continue to flock to Banff National Park.