How she found her calling in Canada

Seema David was inspired to found 5n2 Kitchens by the Bible story about Jesus feeding a crowd with five loaves of bread and two fish. The family’s experience in their early years in Canada also played a role. Originally from Chennai, David and her husband Roopan, both MBAs, had lived and worked for 15 years in Dubai. David, as a high school art teacher and Roopan, as a successful marketing man. The two moved to Canada in 2007 for better prospects for their children. They put all their savings in purchasing a home, not anticipating the difficulties they faced in finding meaningful employment. 

The family budget was tight. Her salary, which once used to provide the little extras, was now paying the bills. After paying the mortgage, she once had seven dollars in her account. “I’d buy groceries with my credit card and pay the balance with my next salary,” she says. “We managed somehow. I now see it as a miracle – that was 5n2 working in my home, stretching our meagre resources to feed everyone.”

She funded the kitchen and then the renovation and the purchase of refrigerators, freezers, stoves, pots and pans, etc., with money Roopan inherited. When the money ran out, they had to turn to public and private sector donors.

Today, the team prepares 3500 meals per week. They have partnered with Toronto Community Housing, Salvation Army and Second Harvest, among others, supplying to after-school programs, crisis intervention centres, seniors’ associations and community organizations that serve people with mental health issues or addictions. They see young professionals with university degrees who are finding it hard to make ends meet. Out of the Cold program got in touch to see if they could come in and observe how they operate their kitchen.

“I was determined not to touch the money we raised for 5n2,” says David.  “I don’t take a salary. The volunteers don’t get paid. Hundred per cent of what we raise goes to the kitchen. And every day we come in because we love coming in. The work here is hard and unpaid, there’s nothing to keep the volunteers here other than love. I’m just the stitch that holds it together. I can’t turn back from this work, it’s a commitment.”

To sponsor a food delivery program or to donate, visit 5n2kitchens.com.