"Why not?" is the attitude of two people who have started a program in White Rock that provides food from local businesses straight to the hands of those struggling with affordability.
Bryan Fast, a White Rock resident, was inspired to start a "Hanging Coffee" initiative in the city, one that has spread to other communities in various countries. Fast learned of the program through social media, which encourages customers who are able to, to purchase an extra item while visiting an eatery but instead of taking the item, offering it to the Hanging Coffee wall.
Now in operation at Hillcrest Bakery and Deli, the donated receipts appear on a wall in the caf茅 and individuals who are experiencing homelessness or struggling immensely with affording food are able to claim a receipt and have the paid-for item.
"I see these people walking around with shopping carts and sleeping in little cubbies and I just think, why not try to make their lives a little bit easier," Fast explained.
Several receipts can be seen at Hillcrest for various items; sandwiches, soups, rolls and even some desserts, giving choice to those who come in for the program.
Fast posted to social media to gauge interest from businesses and then made his way around to local spots with informational posters, urging them to consider participating.
"Unfortunately, the only on that expressed interest 鈥� and in fact, she's been a dynamo 鈥� is Michelle at Hillcrest Bakery and Deli, and she jumped in with both feet."
Michelle Wallace, the manager of Hillcrest, saw Fast's post online and immediately knew she wanted to get involved.
For the manager, the initiative hits close to home.
"I've been close to where they are when my husband left me and I had two little kids, so I get it, and if it weren't for the kindness of others who left groceries on my doorstep..." Wallace's voice trailed off, holding back tears.
After meeting with Fast and speaking with the bakery's owners, the program was already afoot before officially starting, thanks to the sharp hearing of a table of four women.
Wallace and Fast discussed the parameters of the initiative at Hillcrest, leading a table of nearby women to donate money immediately, expressing what a wonderful idea it was.
"I had receipts before I even had the program going," Wallace said with glee.
Getting the word out to vulnerable residents has been showing slow progress as Fast put a sign advertising the program inside the Little Free Pantry that offers free food items, donated by the community, food banks or businesses, for the taking in White Rock.
"While I was there, there was a gentleman there before me with a bike and he went in and grabbed one thing ... so to people who are cynical and say 'oh, people are going to come in and claim all of the receipts.' Well, this thing is filled with food and this guy reached in and took an apple, that's all he took. He didn't take everything," Fast said.
He then told the man about Hillcrest's program, and later that day, the man on the bike became the bakery's first recipient.
"Everyone's been very appreciative, and I've only had four so far, but nobody has been rude about it," Wallace shared.
The focus now is on not only spreading the word to those who could use it, but those who could contribute to it. Getting other businesses involved is crucial, the two stressed.
"Some of them are reluctant, and I understand, I know what the misgivings are, but I did a lot of research online of other cities that have this in place, and all the reports are very positive with very few problems," Fast said.
"The potential benefits of this program outweigh the potential risks. Any program, any initiative has risks, and if we let that scare us, we would never act on anything."
With affordability being at the top of most people's concerns across the province, Fast and Wallace emphasized that no area of the province is exempt from seeing struggling individuals.
"I know there are food banks and other places, but you can never have too many opportunities for these people that are down on their luck to take advantage of. It could very well be me," Fast said.
From Wallace comes a plea to business owners to join the cause and implement the program. "Why not?" she says.
"Just get on board. These people 鈥� it could be you. We never think it's going to be us but it could be you. You just don't know what's around the corner, you could be one step away from this, so help. It doesn't hurt."
