By Lissa Alexander
Feeding your family can be stressful, and as the single income earner in a family of six, David Darmadi knows that feeling all too well.
Darmadi recalls waiting at a Nanaimo food market buffet until it was time to clear the food out at 50 per cent off.
“I was that dad five years ago,” he said. “I was one of those dads waiting there trying to get a deal, trying to feed my family. So, I really can appreciate the struggles people have. Especially now more than ever, it seems everything is so expensive. That stress is a nightmare.”
Darmadi is the owner of Kalvas the Log House restaurant and he’s started an initiative called Meals for More to help feed families in need. Until Aug. 31, restaurant guests who make a donation to the SOS Project Rebuild Campaign can enjoy a free sweet treat from Kalvas’s house-made dessert menu.
Darmadi held a similar initiative to support the SOS Christmas program last year, and was so impressed with the response from his customers.
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“Parksville Qualicum is a great community, people are always willing to help here,” he said. “They have hearts of gold.”
Kalvas Restaurant has also joined the SOS Biz for Good initiative, where local businesses can make a pledge to support the SOS Project Rebuild Campaign at a variety of different levels. This support will help SOS rebuild capacity to strengthen our community now, while investing in solutions to meet the emerging needs of the future.
Darmadi said for Kalvas, the main thing is to make sure local children aren’t going hungry.
He said he and his customers want to continue to help when they can.
“We want to be part of helping accomplish that because children are precious. And that’s what makes a good community; when someone falls down, the next one helps them up.”
Kalvas the Log House restaurant is located at 180 Moilliet St. in Parksville.
For more information about the SOS Project Rebuild Campaign and SOS Biz for Good, visit sosprojectrebuild.com.
– Submitted
