Earlier this month, the sidewalk outside of Toronto's shelter intake office saw an influx of asylum seekers and refugees patiently waiting to be referred to a space in the city's at-capacity shelter system — prompting numerous local organizations and volunteers to take action. 

The group of refugees camped outside the building at 129 Peter Street for weeks, all whilst relying on limited food and supplies, with the City maintaining that its shelter system was too full to take in anyone new. 

Group of refugees forced to sleep on Toronto sidewalk due to at-capacity shelter spaces https://t.co/pFj1tqaA3T #Toronto

— blogTO (@blogTO) July 15, 2023

On July 17, several community organizations and volunteers — along with Paramount Fine Foods founder, Mohamad Fakih — managed to relocate dozens of refugees to a church in North York. 

That same day, Fakih also pledged to donate $20,000 to provide housing for the group of refugees who had camped outside the shelter intake office for weeks. 

Dropped off some more hot meals at Peter St to the asylum seekers who have been abandoned by our governments and left to fend for themselves on the streets. It's time to fix this terrible situation #cdnpoli #onpoli #topoli pic.twitter.com/fDbsc0L3oG

— Mohamad Fakih, C.M. (@mohamadfakih8) July 16, 2023

Fakih, who was born in Lebanon and immigrated to Canada in 1999, founded Paramount in 2006. Aside from founding the Middle Eastern restaurant chain, Fakih also previously conducted charitable work and community service through the Fakih Foundation. 

On Sunday, Fakih uploaded a video on Twitter that showed him cooking meals for people in need with Muslim Welfare Canada, and a group of asylum seekers he met on Peter Street who selflessly asked to volunteer. 

Cooking meals for people in need with @mwcanadaorg joined by new friends, asylum seekers I met at Peter St last week who asked to volunteer too, and give back in thanks for all the support they've received over some difficult weeks. Canada in action! Can’t stop smiling! pic.twitter.com/BHkRjkC7kr

— Mohamad Fakih, C.M. (@mohamadfakih8) July 23, 2023

The group graciously prepared 500 hot meals for people in need out of a kitchen in Regent Park. 

"These are the asylum seekers who I met last weekend at Peter Street when I told them how we cook on Sundays for people in need. They asked me if they could come and help as well," the Paramount founder said.  

"They wanted to give back and show their gratitude for everything people have done to support them during some difficult weeks." 

The video resulted in a flood of comments that commended Fakih for his work, and highlighted the compassionate nature of the asylum seekers, who, despite their circumstances, set valuable time aside to assist others. 

You are all super hero's and a blessing to many!

— 🇨🇦Just Kelly🇨🇦 (@bethechangeodsp) July 23, 2023

"The African refugees previously at 129 Peter Street now volunteering to give back to Canada, even though they are still living in the precarity of their legal status. Welcome and treat people well and they will feel obliged to pay it forward. Beautiful," one person wrote. 

Thank you Mohammad for your leadership and support for the refugees. It is deplorable that our city allowed this situation to continue without any action by the government. This is not our Toronto. A big thanks to you for stepping up.

— Terry Smith (@Philanthropicca) July 18, 2023

"I've said it before, happy to say it again. Mohamad is a mensch. This is beautiful. Thank you," another comment reads. 

Thank you so very much for your support. So pleasant to hear good news stories.

— Betty Hicks (@hicks_the) July 24, 2023

"And just think, these are the same people we had no room for, forced to sleep on the street in front of our intake centre. Literally days later they are working their butts off to help others, just as many homeless folks I know do day in and day out too," one person wrote. "All humans deserve housing NOW."