How We Got Started

DIFY Charity was founded in February 2022, during the heart of the COVID-19 Pandemic, it also happened to be in the middle of an extreme cold snap. Dan Payne, our founder, made a stop at his bank just before curfew fell into effect. As he entered the bank, there lying on the floor was a petite woman with a dirty little white jacket pulled up over her head in what one could only assume was an attempt to block out the cold and the bright lights. She was wearing running shoes and thin stretch pants and had no socks, no hat, no gloves, no blanket and no pillow.

After concluding his business, Dan crept out and went straight home but he could only think about that poor little woman lying on that cold, dirty floor. So he decided to take a chance and break curfew. He stuffed two bags full of his late mother’s warm clothing, including a pair of boots, a coat, a comforter and a pillow. He also prepared some hot soup, sandwiches, a couple of snacks, some drinks and a few bucks. When he woke the woman to give her the items, he was shocked to see that she was not much older than 18 or 19.

The next day, Dan told his friend and neighbor, Hamid, what had happened the night before. He told Hamid that he had a plan to put some food and warm clothing together and distribute them to the homeless people downtown. Without being asked to or any hesitation, Hamid volunteered to go with him. Thus, DIFY Charity was born.

In the years since its inception, volunteers have come and gone but DIFY Charity’s mandate has remained the same: to help those who can’t always help themselves.