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Now, Chhibber says he is serving as many as 1,600 hot meals out of the back of his small restaurant every month, and says it’s not uncommon to see lineups during the lunch rush.

“We don’t say no,” Chhibber said.

Photo by Claire Theobald / Postmedia

Part of his determination to help comes from his own life experience. “I was in their situation once,” he said.

Before coming to Canada 10 years ago, Chhibber was a young, successful, hard working newlywed with his entire life ahead of him until he was hit by a car, shattering bones throughout his body.

Chhibber says he was bedridden and unable to work for nearly two years. At one point he and his wife couldn’t afford to eat.

He relied on the kindness of family and friends who would invite him in for a meal and much-needed comfort.

Once he recovered, Chhibber said his family then came to Canada “with not even 10 dollars. Today, we have everything.”

“I almost died. This is my second life, so I want to make the best use of it,” said Chhibber, adding, “I could live another 100 years, but I’m living my life so tomorrow I don’t have to regret that I could have done better.”

Every morning, Chhibber and his staff start by cooking ‘God’s food,’ preparing enough extra food — the same he serves to his paying customers — to serve dozens of people, preparing a second extra batch in the afternoon.

Should they ever run out, they cook more. No one is turned away.

Chhibber said he is always looking for new ways to offer help. With the assistance of a group of 40 volunteers called The Line of Hope since April, Chhibber now serves a buffet dinner to feed 150 people at the Hope Mission every Wednesday, and collects small personal-care items and warm winter clothing to give to those who show up at his back door.