Shawarma Time owner donates profits to help refugees

Talal Dalank is donating profits from his Winnipeg restaurant Shawarma Time on Sunday and Monday to the refugee agency Welcome Place.

Dalank was motivated to donate two days of profits after he saw Prime Minister Justin Trudeau help Syrian refugees try on winter jackets, he said.

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"I've been watching the news step by step, and it's awesome work, and I've never seen any country like this anywhere in the world," said Dalank.

"Thanks again for everybody in Canada."

About 24 years ago Dalank immigrated to Canada from his home country of Lebanon. Lebanon is now home to more than 1 million registered Syrian refugees, the UN Refugee Agency says.

Dalank said he saw how difficult life is for refugees in Lebanon who were displaced by previous conflicts.

He was moved when he saw how welcoming Canadians and Winnipeggers have been to Syrians in recent weeks, he said.

"Originally, we are one family, we are one community.… This is Canada in here," he said.

Dalank did not want to speculate on how much money he'll raise to help Syrian refugees this week, but he expects to deliver a big cheque to Welcome Place.

"It was a very good day [on Sunday]," he said. "[Customers] want to just come and participate. I'm expecting today to be a big day too."

Shawarma Time at 616 Ellice Ave. will only sell shawarma chicken, beef and falafel wraps on Monday. All profits go to help the refugee agency Welcome Place.