Bonheur du Ciel Restaurant: Pay With A 'Thank You'
Some people might think that hunger isn't prevalent, or at least not in their community or country. For them, food is accessible to all and because no one dies from hunger in front of their eyes. They believe even the homeless can always find something to eat, no matter how stressful the process might be.
On Facebook and Twitter our eyes fall on pictures and videos of kids with swollen bellies. Even if we hit the like button or share the picture, most of us don’t feel truly connected to the issue. We aren't concerned enough to take action.
In my country, Lebanon, many live in a constant state of anxiety about finding their daily bread. They pray for what others take for granted. That reality inspired the creation of free restaurant started in one of Beirut’s suburbs. It's called “Bonheur du Ciel” — “happiness from the sky”. It's a source of happiness indeed.
A patron of Bonheur du Ciel and his friend enjoy their gratis meal. Image Credit: No Garlic No Onions
The restaurant provides free food for all who need it. No credit cards, no registration, no IDs, no exceptions, no conditions. You enter, you eat, you leave. Another well-known restaurant in the town supplies the food, occasionally supplemented with donations from locals.
Every day, more than 120 people of all ages come to Bonheur du Ciel”, seated together at tiny but life-saving tables.
Volunteer serves food to the needy. Image Credit: No Garlic No Onions
Claudine, 13, comes every day to volunteer, accompanied by her four brothers and neighbors. She is in charge of making sure everyone finishes their dish and that they've washed their hands, while some women take care of the management of the restaurant and oversee the volunteers. The volunteers come to help, asking nothing in return. They chat with and comfort the elderly to help take their worries away.
Example of food offered at Bonheur du Ciel. Image Credit: No Garlic No Onions
In France, there are similar programs, such as Les Restos du Cœur in Paris. Restos du Coeur is a French charity that distributes food packages and hot meals to the needy. The association helps not only the homeless population but also the low-income people.
It has been a year and half since Bonheur du Ciel started, opening every day except Sundays — a crucial point of difference from other free-meal programs like Restos du Coeur which operate weekly or even less frequently.
These charity initiatives to aid hunger are widespread internationally. They make a big difference in the community and sometimes accomplish what states cannot. In Lebanon, the government is occupied with so many other problems that that the needs of the poor often fall into the hands of citizens volunteers.
A man finished with his meal thanks a volunteer before leaving. Image Credit: No Garlic No Onions
Standing in Bonheur du Ciel is 60-year-old Hussein. He has finished eating. He does not ask for the bill. He does not look at the prices on the menu. He stares into a volunteer’s eyes, kisses his shoulder, whispers, “thank you,” then leaves. Hussein and the young volunteer, though on opposite sides of table, share the same feeling: happiness from the sky.
