The Martlet

In an effort to bring a dignifying dining experience to Victoria’s homeless community, a group of UVic students began the Street Café.

The café, in partnership with the Mustard Seed Street Church and Food Bank, was founded two years ago by a group of political science students with a passion for social justice.

“They tried to identify a need within the homeless community that wasn’t being addressed,” said Meghan Corder, a third-year UVic student and Street Café volunteer.

“There was no place for people to go and have a restaurant vibe.”

Every other Friday, volunteers distribute mini menus around downtown Victoria, inviting the street folk into their establishment next to the Mustard Seed on Queens Ave.

On Jan. 29, the doors opened five minutes before the 7 p.m. hour, and about 20 people passed the fluorescent open sign to head into the dining room. The remaining guests put their names on a wait-list, maintained by third-year UVic student, Sara Leveign.

“There’s a core group that you’ll recognize here,” she said. “There are quite a few we know by name and they know our name. We definitely build relationships.”

While the overzealous volunteers prepare the final touches for the evening, a line-up of approximately 40 guests has assembled outside the side door.

A silver-haired man named Bill fluttered from guest to guest, greeting everybody waiting outside. He was one of the first to get in line and never misses the Street Café.

“A year ago, on the 13 of February, my birthday, they blew my mind and had a birthday for me here,” said Bill. “I’m the only person they’ve ever done that for and I don’t know why they did, but I really appreciate it.”

In the beginning, the Street Café only served 40 people. Now, an average of 80 guests visit the Friday night events and, once, as many as 110 people attended.

In addition to receiving a meal, guests can enjoy a movie and snacks in the next room while they wait to be seated, or after eating. The feature on Jan. 29 was Happy Gilmore.

“They can sit around and hang out for the night. It gives them some dignity,” said Erik Sundby, a first-year UVic student who has been volunteering at the café for almost two years. “They’re actually [treated like] people and not just animals being pushed through a line.”

The bulk of Street Cafe’s funding comes from Lambrick Park Church and the Mustard Seed — which doesn’t receive any government funding and relies on large donations from Thrifty’s, Starbucks and private businesses. The Mustard Seed feeds up to 7,300 people per month.

Kim Hilche, the volunteer in charge of organizing the Street Café on Jan. 29, brought around a plate of ginger snaps and chocolate chip cookies as soon as the guests finished their meals.

“We definitely have an over-abundance of volunteers here,” she said. “But look at Street Café. It was founded by a bunch of UVic students and it’s definitely an example of what can happen in the future. A lot of people know the problems in Victoria and in B.C., but this is a good example of how you can start something yourself.”

The guests thanked the staff after their meals. Bill is often one of the last guests to leave and Jan. 29 was no exception.

He presented a speech to the staff to show his deep appreciation for their gratitude and positive attitudes. He said he lives by three rules.

“We’re here on a journey and we don’t know when that journey’s going to end — that’s number one,” he said. “Number two: when we’re here on that journey, we’re supposed to help people and have fun doing it. Number three is like the golden rule, but I say it differently than the Bible: treat people like you want to be treated.”

The staff also thanked Bill for coming. Throughout the night they whispered about what they plan to do for the next Street Café, which falls the day before Bill’s birthday.

“It’s nice to talk to [homeless people] and remember that everybody’s human,” said volunteer Nathan Welle, who has worked with the café since its beginning. “[It’s nice] to grasp humanity as a whole, as opposed to picking out the pieces that you want to see.”