In 2009, Wait’s on Nelson’s set out a tin to collect spare change for donations – today, the simple gesture funds about 12 meals a day.
But as the need grows, so does the urgency for donations.
Wait’s on Nelson’s Suspended Fund program, also known as the Pay-it-Forward Fund, allows patrons to donate money to support meals for community members in need.
The program launched in 2009 when Wait’s News (now Wait’s on Nelson) was located on the corner of Ward and Baker Streets.
At the time, it was owned by Mari Plamondon and her husband.
“We just started with a tin can. If people had some extra change, they’d throw it in. And if anybody came in and needed something. At that time it was just a coffee and a muffin, or maybe a granola bar or brownie they could get it. It grew from there to cover more meals, depending on how much was in the tin,” explained Plamondon.
In 2019, the building that housed Wait’s News was sold, and the restaurant was evicted.
However, Plamondon found a new business partner and together they reopened the restaurant, along with the Suspended Fund, at its current location on Nelson Avenue.
“We re-opened in September 2019. At the beginning, the Suspended Fund wasn’t accessed a lot because we were no longer in the hub where most people without homes were. We were doing maybe six meals a month at that time.”
Today, the fund is being accessed at least 12 times a day – three times more than it was in June 2024.
“It just keeps on increasing. It’s definitely busier on weekends, but the need keeps growing. And unfortunately, our fund doesn’t grow as fast as the need does,” said Plamondon.
“We limit it to $20 a meal, which still gets you bacon, eggs, hash browns, toast, and a drink. The need is just super great, and we’ve been covering the bills when there isn’t enough money in the tin.”
She says donations barely cover a fraction of what’s needed, with the program costing about $240 a day, based on 12 meals at $20 each.
A benefactor provides $300 monthly, but otherwise, donations are inconsistent month to month.
Plamondon says people tend to be more generous around Christmas and during the winter, when the suffering of unhoused individuals is more visible.
“When it’s cold, people see others outside without shelter and can tell how cold they are. But as the summer goes along, people can forget that there are still folks sleeping outside who don’t have shelter or any kind of regular food. So it’s, you know, out of sight, out of mind.”
While offering the fund does have financial implications for her business, Plamondon knows how important it is to the community.
“Of course there’s a financial implication. We’re not putting our excess money in our pockets, we’re putting it in people’s stomachs. And, you know, we’ll never be rich because we find it more important to make sure that people are cared for.”
There are three ways to donate to Wait’s on Nelson’s Suspended Fund: in person with cash, in person via debit, or by e-transfer using the email [email protected].
No donation is too small, with every bit helping fill a plate.
“It’s not just about putting food on their plates, but it’s welcoming everyone into our space. People are very grateful to be treated humanely. Every human being deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, no matter what.”
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