Jestony Pagdunzolan says it鈥檚 the least the restaurant can do.
As manager of the Salmon Arm A&W, he鈥檚 referring to the way the restaurant treats homeless people, treatment that has been noticed by community members.
When homeless folks come in and have a coffee at A&W, they鈥檙e welcome to stay as long as they like in order to stay warm.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the least we can do to help those guys,鈥� Pagdunzolan says. 鈥淲hen it鈥檚 extremely cold you鈥檝e seen them sitting out there. I鈥檝e heard some stories they won鈥檛 allow them inside restaurants.鈥�
He says he鈥檚 never been homeless, but he knows what it鈥檚 like to struggle. He came to B.C. from the Philippines in 2012.
鈥淚n the Philippines, my two-month paycheque here was my one-year pay. I know how hard life can be.鈥�
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Most of the homeless folks who come to the restaurant want to pay for their own coffee, and then get the free refills offered after that.
鈥淭hey don鈥檛 want to be treated like the homeless one, they want to be a regular customer.鈥�
Pagdunzolan explains that he鈥檚 told them that as long as there are no issues that bother other customers 鈥� such as being loud 鈥� they鈥檙e welcome to stay as long as they want. He says they鈥檝e been good, wanting to return the favour.
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There was an incident involving someone coming in from outside and starting an altercation 鈥� he thinks maybe a drug dealer. He called police to get rid of him.
鈥淭hose homeless guys, I realize it鈥檚 not their choice that they鈥檙e homeless,鈥� he says, noting that such a fate can happen to anyone.
He鈥檚 noticed that the homeless folks who come in help each other.
He and his staff were moved when they received a big Christmas card thanking them for their kindness, signed by The Homeless Family.
鈥淪imple things like that, make your job better.鈥�
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The kindness has inspired other customers at A&W. A selection of toques were brought in that the restaurant could distribute. Someone saw one of the homeless people drawing, so the customer brought in colouring materials to donate.
Pagdunzolan said he鈥檚 spoken to staff about making sure the homeless customers are treated like anyone else, that their perspective is considered.
鈥淲ould there be someone to help us (if we were in that situation)?鈥� he asks. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good to help others.鈥�
marthawickett@saobserver.net
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