ANH AND CHI, RESERVATION BY DONATION, charity fundraising, vancouver, bc, yvr, helen siwak, folioyvr

A Reservation Model That Became A Community Movement

What began as a pragmatic response to unprecedented circumstances has evolved into one of Vancouver’s most meaningful grassroots giving initiatives. Anh and Chi, alongside sibling restaurant Good Thief, have surpassed a remarkable milestone: more than $500,000 raised through their Reservation by Donation program. Launched in December 2020 by co-founders Vincent and Amélie Nguyễn, the initiative transformed table reservations into a simple yet powerful act of collective care, demonstrating how hospitality can extend far beyond the dining room.

At its foundation, Reservation by Donation allows guests to secure a reservation by contributing $10 per person to a rotating roster of local charities. Introduced during the height of the pandemic, the program addressed safety concerns while offering a tangible way for patrons to support their city at a time when community need was heightened across nearly every sector. What was initially a solution to an immediate challenge quickly revealed itself as something far more enduring.

Amelie, Vincent, and Team | IG: @anyandchi

A Thoughtful Structure With Real Impact

What distinguishes Reservation by Donation is its intentional and transparent structure. Every quarter, the Anh and Chi team selects three public-nominated organizations to receive the funds raised, ensuring the program remains community-driven and responsive to evolving needs. The supported causes reflect a wide spectrum of priorities, including food security, homelessness, mental health, resettlement, identity, and sustainability.

Over the past four years, more than 40 non-profit organizations have benefited from the program. Among them are Aunt Leah’s Place, which works to prevent youth aging out of foster care from experiencing homelessness, Lookout Housing + Health Society, which supports adults facing housing and basic needs challenges, and Backpack Buddies, an organization addressing child food insecurity across British Columbia. Additional beneficiaries include The Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Covenant House, and Rainbow Refugee. Each organization represents a different facet of care, collectively strengthening the social fabric of the region.

Interiors | Photography by Provoke Studio

Beyond Donations, A Shared Sense Of Responsibility

As Anh and Chi prepare to enter their tenth year in 2026, the significance of this milestone extends well beyond the financial figure. The program has fostered a shared ecosystem of staff, patrons, friends, and families who believe that consistent, values-led action can create meaningful change.

“We started reservation by donation to do our part in keeping our team and patrons safe, and to share resources with marginalized communities through the pandemic and a recession. This idea turned into a realization that what we have created through the program is a community of staff, patrons, friends and family who care deeply about our greater community, and that small businesses, and grassroots movements like this CAN make a difference. We invite more people and businesses to play a greater part in the communities we live in.” – Amélie

ANH AND CHI, RESERVATION BY DONATION, charity fundraising, vancouver, bc, yvr, helen siwak, folioyvr

A Model For Hospitality-Led Change

Vincent Nguyễn acknowledges that the program required conviction and resilience. “We always wanted to find ways to do more outside our doors here at Anh and Chi. Our community has supported our family for decades and we wanted to find a meaningful way to give back. It was a risk and there was always the chance of receiving backlash, but trusting our instincts and staying true to ourselves paid off.”

In an industry often defined by trends and margins, Anh and Chi’s Reservation by Donation program stands as a compelling example of how small, intentional actions can generate lasting community impact, one reservation at a time.

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle Observer: Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Communications & Marketing Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at [email protected].