ONE of the top finalists for this year’s “Best Community Impact” Award for Small Business BC Awards that will be presented on February 21 at the Vancouver Convention Centre is one of the Sikh community’s grassroots organizations, Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen.

This event showcases leading businesses all across the province that are making a difference locally and globally. BC’s top business owners, industry leaders and government officials will all be present at this 17th annual ceremony. There are eight categories including Premier’s Peoples Choice, Best Company, Best Community Impact, Best Employer, Best Immigrant Entrepreneur, Best Youth Entrepreneur, Best Innovation and Best Marketer.
The Best Community Impact Award goes to the company that’s truly making a difference in their community. This business has taken positive action to invest in their community and sees social responsibility as an integral part of the business’ success.

• Community Impact Strategies: Business operations demonstrate a positive impact in the community in which the business operates.
• Triple Bottom Line Metrics: The social, environmental and financial outcomes of corporate social responsibility are measurable.
• Diversity: The business models diversity and inclusion in the workplace and in business decision-making.
• Leadership: The business is considered to be a leader in new ways of doing business while doing good.

Guru Nanak’ Free Kitchen is being recognized on a provincial platform with their message of “Love All, Feed All” through their practice of Langar (free community kitchen). GNFK is fueled by the Sikh philosophy of helping those in need regardless of caste, colour, creed and economic status through seva (selfless service).
Paul Hundlesi, a long-time volunteer and spokesperson for GNFK, said: “We were so surprised to be told we were nominated and then to find out we were finalists was humbling. We had never sought out recognition, but for the community to want to acknowledge all the selfless hours our volunteers commit each week, month and year is such an honor.”
Every Saturday and Sunday you can find over a dozen volunteers handing out hot meals and drinks at Main and Hastings streets in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside come rain, snow or sunshine.

They are also involved in a Valentine’s Day care package program that they send out over hundreds of packages to women’s shelters across the Lower Mainland. Their Toy Drive and School Supplies Drive has dozens of volunteers show up to pack supplies that are distributed to schools who hand out the items to the children that need them the most.

Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen is involved in a number of annual events that countless volunteers give their time selflessly to in order to provide a little comfort to those that most need it in our own communities.