Sunny Chibas is starting a free meal program for local families

Local restaurant Sunny Chibas is starting a free dinner program for local families who may be struggling amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.

Starting today, March 20, the Sunny Chibas staff will prepare daily meals such as pasta, stews and fried rice for local families who may need them in the time of the pandemic.

These meals will be hot and ready for pick up by 4:30 pm.

Those who want the meal can reach Sunny Chibas directly via Facebook, or email them at sunnychibas@outlook.com or call at 604-898-1306 to sign up for this program.

Sunny Chibas would need your first name, phone number and number of family members you will need food for.

If you are unable to leave home due to quarantine or self isolation, the restaurant will also arrange delivery but will need to prepare for this in advance.

Orders must be made the night before delivery by 8 pm. These will be on a first-come-first-served basis. Sunny Chibas is asking people to be fair and reasonable and only use this program if they truly need it to ensure there is enough for everyone.

Diana Frederickson, one of the owners of Sunny Chibas, says her personal experience of hardship inspired her to talk to her business partners about the idea.

The partners, Aaron Lawton, Scott McQuade and Lesley McQuade, were all very supportive of the idea.

“I know what it is to go through a hard time, and worrying about feeding your kids and paying the bills, so we thought about giving meals to our community in the best possible way,” Frederickson says.

She says Sunny Chibas plans to feed 120 or 130 people every day, and even up to 200 people as more people in the community donate to help the free meals to continue.

The community has so far donated over $700 for the free meals. The supplier, Yen Foods, has also offered to help with the costs.

Frederickson says donations by the community would allow the free meal program to continue as long as it’s needed. She is encouraging people to donate 50 cents or one dollar, which can be added to their bill.

Meanwhile, Sunny Chibas is still offering delivery food services to the general public. The free meal service will continue as long as the restaurant is able to provide them, Frederickson says.