Lazeez Shawarma Donates a Record-Setting $10,000 in Gift Cards Becoming the Largest Sponsor of the Restaurant Support Program

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 9, 2022 /CNW/ - With over 46 restaurants across Ontario, Lazeez Shawarma knows only too well how the local restaurant industry has been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this, when they heard about the Largest Restaurant Gift Card Support Program, the Lazeez Shawarma family took giving to new heights by donating a record-setting $10,000 in gift cards!

Spearheaded by The Mississauga News and Brampton Guardian in cooperation and Champions of the Cause (community-minded business leaders), the Largest Restaurant Support Program will see thousands of dollars of $10 and $20 gift cards purchased from small to mid-sized family or independently owned restaurants. The Champions of the Cause will distribute the cards in the community, while encouraging card holders to visit a local restaurant. Restaurants benefit from the purchase of the gift cards, from sales over and above the value of the card, in addition to attracting new business in the community.

"We are all hurting in the restaurant industry, but I honestly feel privileged to have this opportunity and to be in the position to be able to give back to our community," says Sahib Rana, Co-Founder/Franchise Manager of Lazeez Shawarma. "The Restaurant Gift Card Program is close to my heart because I've been in Canada for over three decades; my daughters were born here, and this is our home. Like good neighbours, we help each other. These are tough times for the restaurant industry but when the going gets tough, the tough get going. If the communities keep supporting the local businesses, we will get through this turbulence. We hope that what we are doing will encourage other businesses to step up and help."  

Gautam Sharma, Advertising Director of Metroland Peel Region is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support shown by local businesses and their eagerness to help support the restaurant industry.

"By initiating the largest gift certificate program in Ontario to support our local struggling restaurants, the Mississauga News and our Champions of the Cause have come together to build a culture of giving and sharing in our community," says Gautam Sharma, Advertising Director of The Mississauga News and Brampton Guardian. "This is the largest business-to-business program of its type in Ontario, which is only made possible through the generous support of like-minded community leaders who generously agreed to help support our local restaurants. These business leaders are the 'Champions of the Cause' and the real heroes who are giving back to their community by making this program possible. The record-setting commitment by the Lazeez Shawarma family reflects their culture of giving back to the community."

Lazeez Shawarma has a long history of philanthropy including organizing food drives to support local food banks and The Food Drive in Support of the Nav Bhatia SuperFan Foundation. The restaurant group also supports organizations such as Refugee Girls Worldwide, Diabetes Canada, Veterans Affairs Canada, Khalsa Aid and others. Every Canada Day, some 9,000 Canadian flags are handed out free at their locations across Ontario.

Sahib says the $10,000 of gift cards will be handed out to front line workers throughout Ontario and he is working with various organizations to help co-ordinate the effort.

"Our first priority with the gift card program is to donate the gift cards to front line workers as a way of saying thank you," says Sahib. "Front line workers are the backbone of our community, and it is important for us to show appreciation for their demanding work and sacrifices. It is so important for us to say, 'thanks for being there for us and we appreciate all you do.' Canada has provided a safe and healthy environment for my family and giving back comes naturally."

The Restaurant Gift Card Support Program launched on January 26^th and will be ongoing throughout February.

SOURCE Mississauga News

Media Contact: Ricky Bajaj, Brand Manager, SMM, [email protected], 416 856 6304