Real meals, local places, quiet impact.
GivEat connects supporters, verified students, and neighborhood partners through a simple pickup experience.
Students get a meal when it matters.
Support starts at local partners.
Partners serve verified GE codes.
A cleaner way to give locally.
Students get a meal when it matters.
Support starts at local partners.
Partners serve verified GE codes.
A cleaner way to give locally.
Questions?
How do I know my support reaches a student?+
Each sponsored item is connected to a partner, a sponsored balance, and a verified student claim. Students use a GE code at pickup, so it is only counted after a real partner handoff.
Who can claim?+
Only students who pass GivEat verification can claim. We ask for proof such as a student document, study permit, or government-issued ID before approval.
How many meals can a student claim?+
One free item per day, up to three per week. The limit keeps support fair and spreads sponsored meals across more students.
Is it really free for students? What’s the catch?+
Completely free — no fees, no subscription, no hidden cost, ever. Someone in your community already paid for the meal. You verify your student status once, then claim and pick up with a GE code. The only rule is one item a day, up to three a week.
Is my ID and personal information safe?+
Yes. Your government ID and student document are used only to confirm eligibility and are stored privately — restaurants and supporters never see them. At pickup a partner sees only your first name, photo, GE code, and pickup time. Payments run through Stripe; GivEat never stores your card number.
How do I get started?+
Sign up on this site and choose your role, or download the app directly from the
App Store. Supporters can fund meals right away. Students upload a document for verification (usually reviewed within 24 hours). iOS only for now — Android coming soon.
What about allergies or dietary needs?+
Each partner lists its menu in the app, but always check ingredients and allergens directly with the restaurant at pickup. GivEat connects you to the meal and does not prepare food.
Can a supporter get a refund?+
Refunds are reviewed case by case. A sponsorship already claimed by a student usually can’t be refunded, but reach out to
giveatca@gmail.com and we’ll help.
Can I choose where my support goes?+
Yes. Supporters choose the partner before sponsoring. That keeps the experience local, transparent, and connected to real participating partners.
How are partners protected?+
Partners verify a GE code before handing the item over. Student private details are not shown to partners, and payouts are tied to verified claims through the GivEat system.
What happens if a student does not pick up?+
GivEat can review claim activity and repeated no-shows may lead to account restrictions. This protects partners, supporters, and other students.
Is payment information stored by GivEat?+
Payments are processed through Stripe. GivEat does not store raw card numbers or bank card details on its own servers.
What does GivEat charge partners?+
GivEat takes a 7% commission on each verified handoff. This covers platform costs, payment processing, and team operations. No upfront fees — you only pay when an item is handed over. Questions?
giveatca@gmail.comWhat does GivEat charge supporters?+
A 5% service fee is added to each sponsorship, and 13% HST applies at checkout (always shown before you pay). The fee keeps the platform running so the full meal value goes toward the sponsored meal at the selected restaurant. Full breakdown available at
giveatca@gmail.comDo supporters meet students?+
No. GivEat is fully contactless. Supporters sponsor meals through local restaurants, and verified students claim them privately using a QR code. There is no direct messaging or in-person matching between supporters and students.
Why does GivEat work with local restaurants?+
Every sponsored meal supports both a student and a local business. By partnering with independent restaurants and neighborhood food spots, GivEat helps keep community support local while creating a more sustainable system for everyone involved.
Can businesses or organizations sponsor meals?+
Yes. Businesses, teams, creators, and organizations can sponsor meals through GivEat to support students and local communities. Sponsors can choose to appear publicly or stay anonymous.
What happens when meals run out?+
Meals are available based on community sponsorships. Once meals are fully claimed, supporters can sponsor more meals to refill availability.
What can I sponsor besides meals?+
GivEat starts with meals and is expanding to coffee, bakery, cinema tickets, stationery, books, and flowers — all from locally owned Toronto partners. Categories open as partners onboard. Local shops can apply via
signup.
Why only local partners?+
Every sponsored item should put money back into a Toronto neighbourhood. We do not work with chains (no Starbucks, Cineplex, Indigo, Staples). Each partner is hand-picked and independently owned.
Is GivEat a charity?+
No. GivEat is operated by Bargello Canada Inc. and is not a registered charity, so sponsorships are not charitable donations and do not come with a charitable tax receipt. They are community purchases. You always receive an itemized sponsorship receipt for your records — consult your accountant about how it applies to you.
Can my business expense sponsorships?+
Business sponsorships through GivEat are not charitable donations, and GivEat does not issue official donation receipts. Businesses may be able to treat sponsorships as marketing, advertising, or promotional business expenses, depending on their circumstances — and your brand can appear publicly as a community sponsor (e.g. “25 meals sponsored by ABC Co.”), which supports that framing. We provide HST-compliant receipts and a year-end statement, and recommend confirming deductibility with your accountant.
