The Helpers: Regina Sikh neighborhood offers free groceries amid pandemic

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Regina’s Sikh community is getting national recognition after a shoutout from the Prime Minister for its charity efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Mark Melnychuk People display a sign of thanks at an event where food was being handed out to those in need by the Sikh community outside the entrance to the Rainbow Cinema on Parliament Avenue in Regina, Saskatchewan. Photo by BRANDON HARDER /Regina Leader-Post

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Regina’s Sikh community is getting national recognition after a shoutout from the Prime Minister for its charity efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Guru Nanak Free Kitchen has been operating for a year and a half, distributing food every week in Regina’s North Central neighbourhood. While the organization was originally cooking meals at Regina’s Sikh temple to be distributed, that ended when the provincial government issued public health orders to limit social gatherings.

The organizers behind the kitchen decided to adapt, and are now distributing semi-trucks loaded full of groceries to anyone who may need them. The food distributions are currently happening at the parking lot of Rainbow Cinemas at the Golden Mile Shopping Centre on Sundays.

“This time again on Sunday we have 5,000 packages which we are already packing,” said Sandeep Singh Sandhu — who works with the kitchen — in an interview Friday.

Sandhu said all proper precautions are being taken when packaging the groceries, which include items such as canned food, almond milk, fruit, chips and rice. Volunteers are wearing masks and using gloves and hand sanitizer when packing the food.

People display a sign of thanks at an event where food was being handed out to those in need by the Sikh community outside the entrance to the Rainbow Cinema on Parliament Avenue in Regina, Saskatchewan. Photo by BRANDON HARDER /Regina Leader-Post A woman accepts a bag of chick peas at an event where food was being handed out to those in need by the Sikh community outside the entrance to the Rainbow Cinema on Parliament Avenue in Regina, Saskatchewan. A line of people wait at an event where food was being handed out to those in need by the Sikh community outside the entrance to the Rainbow Cinema on Parliament Avenue in Regina, Saskatchewan. Photo by BRANDON HARDER /Regina Leader-Post

By about 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, a line of people snaked from the south parking lot of the Broken Rack/Rainbow Cinemas around the west side of the building along Rae Street. Volunteers handed out plastic bags, which were then filled in a trick-or-treat-like fashion with items like bananas, dried chick peas, lentils and potatoes. Orange circles and arrows were spray painted on the pavement to indicate direction and help maintain proper physical distancing. Hot pasta and soup were also being handed out as recipients quietly, but graciously made their way past the food-filled tables. A bread delivery came around 2:30 p.m. after the line had died down to a slow trickle.

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A couple of Regina Police Service patrol cars were stationed nearby keeping an eye on things and “helping us out” said one masked volunteer holding a sign bearing the words “FREE FOOD.”

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During one of his daily addresses to the country this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned the charitable efforts of Canada’s Sikh community, including Regina.

“Every day Sikh Canadians make our cities and our neighbourhoods stronger. And right now, when people need help most, you’re stepping up once again. In Regina you’re delivering supplies to your neighbours, while in Mississauga, you’re donating to the Seva Food Bank. It just goes to show that we are all stronger together, supporting each other,” said Trudeau.

The Guru Nanak Free Kitchen truck is parked behind a station giving out hot pasta an event where food was being handed out to those in need by the Sikh community outside the entrance to the Rainbow Cinema on Parliament Avenue in Regina, Saskatchewan. Photo by BRANDON HARDER /Regina Leader-Post

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