Montreal restaurant offers free food to anyone who needs it

Restaurateurs feed the hungry - for free Yahya Hashemi frequently provides food for those who cannot afford to pay

Everyone deserves to eat, no questions asked – that’s the motto at Marché Restaurant Ferdous.

The restaurant on Ste. Catherine St. W offers free food to those who can't afford to pay for a meal.

“People sometimes come here, you have no idea by their look that they need the food and they're shy or they don't believe in such things. So we told the cook, ‘Don't ask any questions; do not judge them.’ If they ask, just give them the food, that's it, that's all,” said co-owner Yahya Hashemi.

The owners posted a sign months ago after noticing a number of homeless people in the area asking for spare change and in need of a warm meal

“Especially when it's cold, they just want to eat,” said Hashemi.

Chicken shawarma, lentil soup and a variety of Middle Eastern delicacies are all on the table.

“It doesn't matter, because at night if you still have leftover food you end up throwing it out, so why not give to those in need? It's not a big deal,” said chef Abdelkader Bejaoui.

“It's just a sandwich, right, it's not life changing to most people, but to some people, it means they won't go to bed hungry and that to me spoke mountains about it,” said customer Sean Jalbert.

“We have to reflect our real image of Islam and Muslim people, immigrants who want to work hard and participate in this great country to contribute in its economy and social tissue,” said co-owner Ala Amiry. “It's part of religion, this kind of tradition. You have to give to the people if you want the blessing from God.”

They're hoping the good deed inspires other restaurants to do the same.