(Animal World/ Facebook)

By Tiffany Goodwein

‘A reason to do what I do:’ Table promotes kindness and support amid COVID-19

Mar 29, 2020 | 12:41 PM

MEDICINE HAT – Nestled between the isles of Animal World on Dunmore Road is a table. A neon green paper centered in the middle catches the eye, with the words ‘free take what you need’ etched in black marker.

The message, an antidote to the unprecedented times of sickness, layoffs and uncertainty.

It all began after shop owner Rob Andreas saw a story about a person in the U.S. doing something similar on their front lawn.

“That gave me the idea that I could do that in the store.” said Andreas.

Now, after spending long hours at his business, Andreas heads to the grocery store at night, spending his own money to replenish the table, with toilet paper, canned goods and other supplies.

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“It was more a personal decision than a smart business decision,” laughed Andreas.

While some visitors approach the table with an air of shyness, the overall reaction, according to Andreas has been positive.

“I saw a lot of people coming in and taking stuff and most of them were never customers of ours which is totally fine with me,” Andreas said.

Days after the solo initiative began, others too have offered to pitch in.

“ We’ve had a few people, we had a local farmer that had farm fresh eggs and they gave us some eggs so we put that on the table, we had another man yesterday who brought us some canned goods so there has been a little bit of add on by local people which is awesome.”

Asked about why he’s doing it, and Andreas isn’t entirely sure.

“I was never doing it to try to promote the store. I think I was doing it because I have no idea what else to do with myself and it kind of gives me a reason to do what I do,” he said.