In the lead up to World Kindness Day on Nov. 13, Alain Robitaille, owner of Quesada Burritos & Tacos in Sherbrooke’s St. Elie neighbourhood brought a donation of 50 BYOT (build your own taco) kits to local food security organization La Grande Table.
“Day after day, people are there for us,” Robitaille said, noting that his restaurant has done surprisingly well over the last several months. “This is our way of giving back.”
Robitaille said that as a part of Quesada’s new “Kindness Menu” a portion of sales from available at his restaurant and 18 others across Quebec will support a selection of different charities over the next several months, including Second Harvest Food Rescue, The Canadian Red Cross’ COVID-19 Global Appeal Fund, and The David Suzuki Foundation.
“There is a lot of uncertainty right now,” the restaurant owner said, explaining that even before the corporate initiative, he made a point of trying to be involved in his community in different ways.
Although the current campaign will be focused on helping to improve food security in the weeks of the holiday season, the planned giving will continue well into the new year, with a new cause being selected about once every two months.
Asked about the inspiration Robitaille said he’s seen firsthand how kindness is contagious and has the power to help people persevere in difficult times. He also noted that prior to this campaign, Second Harvest Food Rescue was not very present in the province of Quebec, and said he is pleased to see the way they have partnered with local groups like La Grande Table as a result.
“We want to pay it forward,” he said, calling the initiative a personal and professional point of pride.
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