According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, there are about 3.5 million people in a year who will experience homelessness. They report that this number is actually higher because many people experiencing homelessness do not have access to the surveys that would determine this number.

In 2003, it was reported that 39 percent of the homeless population were children under the age of 18, which is the highest percentage per age group that was reported. Also, males are more likely than females to be homeless, and the fastest growing group in the homeless population is families with children.

Some factors that contribute to homelessness are a person's ethnicity, whether the person is/was a victim of domestic violence, if the person is a veteran, if the person has a mental illness, if the person suffers from an addiction, and where/if a person is employed, among many other factors.

I think we can all agree that homelessness is a heartbreaking issue that needs to be solved as soon as possible. Unfortunately, a solution for this problem is easier said than done, but that does not stop Yahya Hashemi and Ala Amiry, co-owners of Marché Ferdous, from doing what they can to alleviate some of the stress in these people's lives. How do they do it? Their restaurant gives free meals to anyone who cannot pay for it, no questions asked.

Marché Ferdous is a Middle Eastern restaurant in Montréal that has an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars on Yelp. All of the reviews praise the delicious food, but they also can't help but mention the fact that the owners give food to those who can't pay. “We do not ask any questions, we do not judge people…They want to eat, [we] give them the food. That’s it, that’s all,” Hashemi said.

He felt compelled to help these people because of his Muslim faith and because Canada had done so much for him that he wanted to give back. They say they are not worried about what it would cost them because, like in any restaurant, there is always leftover food at the end of the day that must be thrown away. Also, as news has spread about their generous gift, customers have donated money to the restaurant to specifically help pay for the meals that are being given.

Having worked in a restaurant myself, I was overjoyed to hear about this one giving away free meals. It is unbelievable how much food has to be thrown out because it is not policy to serve day-old food. Considering the fact that many families experience homelessness, I cannot begin to imagine the amount of stress that a parent in this situation has when trying to provide basic needs for his/her children. It is a human need to be able to eat, and I am so thankful this restaurant has stepped up to do their part to help. I hope the news about this restaurant spreads and inspires other restaurants, organizations, and people to consider what they can do to help.