Montreal-area food banks have raised the alarm that their supplies are running low, in hopes that the population will step forward with donations. Increased numbers of asylum seekers crossing the borders into Canada have made it more complicated to supply food to those in need during the summer.
Typically, donations to food banks reach a peak around Christmas time, when guignolées are in full swing. This always made sense, because homelessness and hunger are particularly dangerous during the winter months.
However, the recent increase in asylum seekers has not only put an additional strain on food banks, but has also disrupted their “seasonal balance”. Asylum seekers typically flock to the borders during the summer, when it’s much easier to make a multi-day trip. For Montreal’s food banks, that creates a challenging situation. Quebec receives 90% of Canada’s new refugee claimants, and many end up in Montreal.
Source: CBC
This summer, consider donating food!
Here are just a few of the places that will receive food and other donations:
- Moisson Montréal: http://www.moissonmontreal.org/
- West Island Mission: http://www.wimmoi.org/
- The Salvation Army (multiple locations) https://www.salvationarmy.ca/quebec/home/locations/montreal/
- West Island Assistance Fund http://fdoi.org/
- Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (multiple locations) https://www.ssvp-mtl.org/en
- NDG Food Depot http://www.depotndg.org/
- Casa C.A.F.I. – 4741 Rue de Verdun
- Réseau d'Entraide de Verdun: https://reseaudentraidedeverdun.wordpress.com/
- Share The Warmth: https://sharethewarmth.ca/
There are, of course, many more! Be sure to call first and find out exactly what your local food bank needs most. That way, you’ll be providing the best help you possibly can!