How One Restaurant Raised Over $500,000 For Local Charities

One of Vancouver’s most beloved dining institutions has turned a simple table reservation into a powerful force for community change. Anh and Chi—along with its sister restaurant Good Thief—has officially surpassed $500,000 raised through its groundbreaking Reservation by Donation program.

Launched in December 2020 by siblings and co-founders Vincent and Amélie Nguyễn, Reservation by Donation (RBD) transformed the restaurants’ formerly walk-in-only model into a first-of-its-kind system: guests secure reservations by donating $10 per person to a rotating lineup of local charities. What began as a pandemic-born solution to support staff and community safety has since evolved into a full-fledged movement.

Every quarter, staff members select three public-nominated organizations to support—centred on issues such as food security, mental health, homelessness, resettlement, sustainability, and services for marginalized communities. Now nearing its 10th anniversary in 2026, Anh and Chi shows no signs of slowing down.

“We started Reservation by Donation to keep our team and patrons safe and to share resources during a difficult time,” says Amélie. “It turned into a community—a movement—proving that small businesses can make a difference.”

More than 40 non-profits have already felt its impact. Some highlights from the half-million raised:

• Aunt Leah’s Place received $26,960 to support youth aging out of foster care and vulnerable young mothers.
• Lookout Housing + Health Society received $16,280 to revitalize a residential wing at the Yukon Housing Centre, creating safer, more dignified living spaces.
• Backpack Buddies, one of the program’s earliest beneficiaries, received $5,410 to help feed BC children experiencing food insecurity during the pandemic.
• Treehouse Vancouver Child & Youth Advocacy Centre received $16,590 for trauma-informed support services for children and families.
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) received $13,070 for culturally grounded healing, counselling, and crisis support.

“Our community has supported our family for decades,” says Vincent. “Giving back felt necessary. It was a risk—but staying true to who we are paid off. We hope more restaurants join us.”

With hundreds of thousands raised, a decade of service ahead, and a city rallying behind them, Anh and Chi has proven that a restaurant can be more than a place to eat—it can be a catalyst for real, lasting change. —Noa Nichol