When you eat at the Wayside Restaurant, you help feed people in need

Bhavin Patel believes everyone deserves a delicious Christmas dinner.  

Patel arrived in Canada from India in 1998, and became owner of the Wayside Restaurant in Talbotville, north of St. Thomas, in January 2021. Since then, he's been using revenue from the restaurant to provide free meals to those experiencing homeless. 

His Feed the Hungry program puts 10 per cent of each customer's cheque toward covering the cost of preparing 250 meals every Monday. More than 35 volunteers then pass out the meals throughout the London, St. Thomas and Woodstock areas, and even as far as the GTA. 

"I believe what comes around, goes around," said Patel. "We don't know what happens tomorrow. So whatever we can do to help them, I'm asking everyone to help them in any way. We have to give them our helping hand, right?" 

Now that the weather has turned colder, Patel is putting together 500 winter preparedness kits in addition to the meals. The backpacks include necessities like blankets, gloves, Chapstick, shampoo, body wash and hand warmers. 

Volunteers are already distributing some of the kits, but on Christmas day they'll be passed out along with a homemade turkey dinner. 

"We think everyone should have a good Christmas, and everyone should have a good Christmas dinner," said Patel. "So that's why we came up with this plan and we are going to give them a Christmas dinner too." 

Patel said his volunteers also reach out to those who may have housing, but are struggling to afford food for their families. They are available to pick up and deliver groceries for shut in seniors, as well. 

He said he is putting out a call for donations from members of the London and St. Thomas community to help fund the meals and winter kits. 

Donations can be made through the Wayside Restaurant website, or materials for winter kits can be dropped off at its Talbotville location. 

"God is giving us his strength," said Patel. "We are always here to help and whatever our little best, we always give a helping hand to any community. And we are so proud we are in Canada and we are proudly supporting all the communities." 

Sounds of the Season is CBC London's annual fundraiser in support of the London Food Bank. It's also a chance to take a closer look at the reasons people in our city are in need, and the steps being taken to help them.

Last year, Sounds of the Season raised over $13,000 in donations and almost 500 lb of food. Please help us top that this year!