A Central Lonsdale restaurant is launching a weekly gesture of thanks for those who answer emergency calls in North Vancouver. Roma Restaurant will provide free hot pasta or pizza for up to 25 first responders each Tuesday, starting Sept. 8, the owners said, as a pilot that will run through December.
What the program offers
The hospitality initiative is intended for local police officers, firefighters, health-care workers and search-and-rescue volunteers. Recipients can make a reservation or walk in and must show identification verifying their workplace to receive a meal.
- When: Tuesdays, beginning Sept. 8
- Who: Police, firefighters, health-care workers, search-and-rescue volunteers
- Capacity: Up to 25 meals per week
- Duration: Pilot programme through the end of December
| Day | Max recipients | Menu options | Pilot period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesdays | 25 | Pizza or pasta | Sept. 8 — end of December |
Local ties and motivations
The idea came from siblings who own the restaurant, who say personal experience and proximity to emergency services inspired them to act. The restaurant sits within a few blocks of Lions Gate Hospital, the North Vancouver RCMP detachment and a fire hall, and staff regularly hear sirens while working.
“Within my family and friends, I’m surrounded by many doctors and nurses and get to see firsthand the sacrifices made every day,” said Shirin. “Often, these sacrifices go unnoticed. We have a platform at Roma to show gratitude and appreciation in action.”
Shawn, her brother and co-owner, said his sister’s own experience as a patient made an impression. After she received care at Lions Gate Hospital, the attention and help provided by medical staff moved the family to offer the appreciation nights. “It’s the smallest thing that we can do,” Shawn said, adding that he hopes the gesture reflects community recognition of the pressure first responders carry.
Community context and potential impact
North Vancouver neighbourhoods have a dense mix of residential, commercial and institutional services along Central Lonsdale, and the proximity of emergency facilities means first responders and health-care workers regularly pass through the area. The weekly meals are framed by the restaurant owners as both a practical thank-you and an opportunity to build personal connections between service members and the wider community.
By limiting the offer to 25 meals each week, the owners intend to manage demand while testing the programme’s viability. At the end of the pilot period, restaurant staff said they will review the results and decide whether to continue into the new year.
Small-scale initiatives like this can have varied effects: they provide a tangible and immediate expression of appreciation, and they can foster informal conversation between first responders and neighbours in a non-emergency setting. For the restaurant, the programme is also a way to translate gratitude into action and to demonstrate a local business’s connection to those who keep the city safe.
First responders interested in participating can either call ahead to reserve a spot or arrive in person and present identification showing where they work.
