Back on March 28, Abbotsford establishments Patna Sweets and Restaurant, Cedar Park Chaat House and Royal India Restaurant and Catering launched a free lunch program for first responders, health care providers, the elderly, single mothers and the homeless.
They aimed to provide 150 free local lunches everyday during the COVID-19 pandemic battle.
RELATED: Abbotsford restaurants handing out 150 free lunches daily
One month later they have served over 6,000 lunches and the program is set to expand.
Gurbir Brar from Patna Sweets and Restaurant provided The News with this update:
Hoping all my friends and family from around the world are staying safe during these unprecedented times.
Just wanted to give an update on how our Community Lunch Program has been doing after exactly a month of putting it into motion. We started the lunch program on March 28th not knowing what to expect or the response that it would get. We began it as a moral responsibility we all have to do “seva” (selfless service/volunteer work) when our communities need it the most.
After the first couple of days of beginning the lunch program we had been quickly filling the number of lunches we had decided to serve (150). To be honest that number has always been changing. After the 150 lunches that are confirmed for the day, we have always ran the program to the notion of “serving until we run out”. So whether that’s 175, 200, or 225 we have never turned anyone away that has made the effort to walk in through ours doors.
From March 28 - April 28 we have served: 6,310 Meals
Roughly half of of the lunches have been pick ups and the other half have been deliveries. Deliveries include daily deliveries to residential homes, nursing homes, Abbotsford Hospital, & Mission Hospital.
We would like to thank our staff and team at Patna Sweets & Restaurant, Cedar Park Chaat House & Royal India Restaurant & Catering. Without their hard work and dedication this would not be possible. We would also like to thank all of the wonderful individuals & businesses that have supported us. We have met some amazing people along the way!
Moving forward we have decided to make a few changes:
* Number of meals served daily increased to 250
* No time restrictions for First Responders (Police, Fire & Ambulance). This is due to the realization of different shift times (Lunch/Dinner available from Opening 10:00 AM to Closing 9:00 PM). Please call ahead and it will be delivered curb side.
* New service for out of town truck drivers. Instructions will be to pull up on the back road of Cedar Park Plaza & our restaurant which is Auburn Street. Lunch will be delivered curb side. This will make for an easy entry/exit off the Clearbrook Rd. highway exit. Delivery options will be introduced in the near future.
* More lunches will be committed to out reach. This may come in the form of partnerships with organizations that are already involved with out reach and have the systems in place to organize it.
An updated menu:
*Monday - Shahi paneer & Rice or Rajma & Rice (will be bi-weekly)
*Tuesday - Chana masala & Rice or Dal Makhni & Rice (will be bi-weekly)
*Wednesday - Aloo tikki plate (with chana masala, daikon, red onions, other toppings)
*Thursday - Mattar Paneer & Rice
*Friday - Butter chicken & Rice
*Saturday - Vege Samosa plate (w/Chana masala)
*Sunday - Vege Noodles or Vege Manchurian & Rice (will be bi-weekly)
Thank you to everyone for doing your part in the fight to end COVID-19. Whether it’s being on the front line, going to work, or simply staying home. Everyone has an equal share to contribute!