Even as he worries about his extended family in Iran, Arash Rahimian is thinking about how others are coping with the novel coronavirus crisis.

Rahimian has lived in Canada for 27 years, arriving here at age 17. He now operates Ancaster’s Brassie Pub.

On March 19, Rahimian and Mark Hodge, owner of Ancaster restaurant Pub Fiction, each donated about $1,000 worth of perishable food items to Hamilton Food Share.

Both establishments have closed due to mandatory social distancing regulations that have shuttered restaurant seating areas throughout the province.

Like most restaurant and bar owners, Hodge and Rahimian stocked up for St. Patrick’s Day in anticipation of crowds that never came. Hodge averages between $15,000 and $18,000 in sales on a typical St. Patrick’s Day.

“Hopefully when everything goes back, we’re going to bounce back and we’re going to be resilient and help each other,” Rahimian said. “There is a lot of uncertainty in the world, it’s not just Canada. I don’t believe we should panic, but we should go through the precautions.”

By donating unused items to Food Share, Hodge hopes to set an example for other restaurants who may have items they can’t use.

“This makes us feel good,” said Hodge. “We can turn this into something positive.”

Rahimian has been getting daily updates from Iran via email and social media.

“My family has been in their house for the last 20 days. And the government shut everything down about a week ago,” he said.

Iranians have been instructed to stay in their homes, unless they’re out shopping for food and essentials, said Rahimian. Many food items are being delivered to homes and special precautions are in place to ensure goods are sterilized.

Hodge said staff were welcome to help themselves to any food supplies, just before the restaurant shut down before March 17.

Hodge said the closure of the restaurants is unfortunate, as many employees rely on tips that can't be replaced through employment insurance. But Hodge and Rahimian said keeping the restaurants open for takeout and delivery wasn't a viable option.

Thirty people at Pub Fiction have been laid off, while 33 staff members at the Brassie are impacted.

On March 18, Hamilton Food Share executive director Joanne Santucci said the organization is doubling its efforts to ensure Hamilton's food banks and hot meal programs stay operational throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

The best way for the general public to help out is by making cash donations to Food Share.

Meanwhile, Ancaster Community Services is still offering its Meals on Wheels and food bank services, with special COVID-19 precautions in place.

Those enhanced measures include screening volunteers, requiring volunteers to wear rubber gloves and ensuring volunteers avoid direct contact with food recipients.

Clients are met outside the door with bags of non-perishable food items and grocery gift cards.

ACS executive director Melanie Barlow said the organization is ramping up efforts during a difficult time.

“We have also ordered extra frozen meals which are provided to disabled clients who have difficulty preparing meals,” Barlow said. “These healthy meals are subsidized for low-income seniors and individuals. “

Ancaster seniors who want to sign up for Meals on Wheels and Frozen Meals program) can call Ancaster Community Services at 905-648-6675 or visit http://www.ancastercommunityservices.ca/.

- With files from Craig Campbell