Community Pours Support for Struggling Restaurant that Feeds the Homeless [Video]

• The pandemic has closed down a restaurant that used to give free meals to anyone who came in hungry.
• The owner, Kazi Mannan, had to appeal for help.
• Thanks to all the donations that have been pouring in, Mannan has again promised to continue giving free meals.

Kazi Mannan of the Sakina Halal Grill has been a Good Samaritan for years. When he opened his restaurant in Washington, D.C., he vowed that whoever came in hungry would be fed for free. And for years, he has been true to this promise. Every hungry, poor, and homeless person who comes to their restaurant has been receiving free meals.

If you say you are hungry in his restaurant, there is a no-questions-asked-policy and you get to enjoy an eat-all-you-can-eat buffet of Pakistani food.

At his restaurant located near the White House, they have already served over 16,000 free meals.

Mannan explains, “Once upon a time, I was in a similar situation where I didn’t have enough money to eat. You pass by a restaurant but never are able to go in. When you don’t have money, nobody is going to let you in.”

He adds, “People have a fear that a lot of homeless people have mental issues, health issues, they are dirty, not clean, and if you let them come in, they will ruin your business. I tell them, ‘Look at my life and look at my restaurant — does this look dirty to you?’”

According to his GoFundMe page, he has been feeding the homeless with his own funds while refusing any donations. But with the pandemic’s effect on the economy, Mannan has been struggling. He had to close his restaurant for four months and lay off workers.

So, even if it was heartbreaking for him, he had to ask for help. He turned to WJLA and opened a GoFundMe page.

He was able to raise $100,000 within 24 hours of his plea and by Thursday, he had raised $261,000!

He told WJLA, “A few days ago you did a story on me and how I am struggling, I had tears of fear. I have today, tears of joy!”

His GoFundMe aptly stated, “[He] introduced a new model of empathy and kindness in America when he opened his restaurant to every person who needs a refuge from their daily hunger. He has never differentiated between a paying or non-paying customer as he is constantly aware of his journey to success — and the difficulties along the way.”

Mannan plans on continuing giving free meals with the funding that he has received from the donations.

A good deed really deserves another good deed. 

Source: People