It's cold, wet and miserable outside and a warm, gooey grilled cheese sandwich is the comfort food many crave.
For the less fortunate in Barrie, such a sandwich can be survival.
That's why the owner of Barrie's downtown Grilled Cheese Social Eatery is reminding people about his unique charity.
Randy Aylwin's 'Suspended' program allows customers to purchase a coffee or a classic grilled cheese sandwich at a reduced price.
Then Aylwin uses the donations to help stock the David Busby Centre’s outreach truck and feed some of the city’s homeless residents.
"It's cold weather. We actually stockpile the sandwiches over the summer. We don't serve them a lot of sandwiches so we have an abundance stockpiled. We like to to do it every week in winter," said Aylwin.
His eatery donates a total of 40 sandwiches a week typically on two of the slower afternoons at the eatery.
Aylwin just texts the Centre and says come and pick up the grilled cheese.
The discount grilled cheese is $3 and coffee is $1, at cost for the restaurant owner.
The Christmas season is a time of giving and for shoppers who come to downtown Barrie, Aylwin says it's easy to give to the less fortunate through his program.
"This is the time of the year the program needs a little boost because I want to make sure I have enough to get us through the cold winter months. I can't image what it's like to be on the street. Can you imagine if you had to wander around all day?" he said.
An example of the types of generosity he encounters is a senior who comes into his eatery every week, leaves a Toonie on the counter and walks out.
"People want to help," he said. "I'm really not doing much. You're donating the money and I'm doing the action."
With Noella festivities happening in downtown Barrie Saturday, including the Tree Lighting and Santa Claus Parade, Aylwin invites people to stop at his shop and help the less fortunate.
"You can bring food bank donations to the Parade. You can donate $3 at the eatery," he said.
The Grilled Cheese Social Eatery is located at 53 Dunlop Street East.
