Latest news with #MoissonMontréal
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
With school out, more kids are food insecure. These Montreal groups step in to fill gaps
Social Sharing There's always a buzz of excitement in the air as the end of the school year approaches, with students dreaming of carefree summer days. But for a lot of students and families, summer also means an end to free school meals and increased food insecurity. According to Moisson Montréal, of the 300 food agencies it works with, children make up 30 per cent of those in need of food assistance in the city. Without the assistance of school food programs, families are under increasing pressure, with multiple organizations stepping in to fill the gaps. Every year, Moisson Montréal launches its Hungry for Vacation fundraising campaign to help provide snacks for school-aged kids throughout the summer months. Executive director Chantal Vézina said this year's goal is to raise enough money to distribute 700,000 snacks to more than 10,000 children in Montreal. Last year, Moisson Montréal was able to distribute 570,000 snacks via its partner organizations. "This year, we increased the goal because we know that the needs are increasing also," Vézina said. More families in need of food assistance Multicaf is a not-for-profit organization that offers food aid and other social services to residents of Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood, including a community cafeteria and solidarity grocery store. The cafeteria offers free breakfasts and affordable lunches, while the grocery store allows members to shop at a discount. "People can get 25 items at a lower price point, so $7 for 25 items," explained Multicaf spokesperson Gabriella Marquez-Fry, adding that allowing people to pay what they can promotes dignity. "It's not a handout," she said. Multicaf has also seen an increase in demand for its services over the years, as well as a change in clientele. "We see more and more families that need our services," Marquez-Fry said. According to Moisson Montreal's latest Hunger Count report, families make up 54 per cent of households needing food assistance, up from 47 per cent the year before. To meet families' specific needs, Multicaf has created a family room, which was inaugurated this week. WATCH | How Multicaf is adapting to a new reality: Montreal food bank inaugurates family room, extends operating hours as demand rises 5 minutes ago Duration 1:42 MultiCaf in Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood is dedicating an area for children to play and eat while their parents access services. Marquez-Fry explained it's a safe space for families to access the social and food support they need. It's designed to allow parents to meet with an intervention worker and learn about what resources are available to help them move forward, while their children play nearby. "It removes the stigma," Marquez-Fry said. Multicaf is also gradually extending its opening hours, and the hope is to be open seven days a week by September to help give parents and other members more flexibility in their schedules. "We really want to adapt to the changing realities of food insecurity," Marquez-Fry said. "It"s not just a specific demographic now — it touches students, it touches workers, it touches families." 'Gaps are getting deeper and deeper' The Depot is another community organization in Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough offering a variety of food aid services. In summer, that includes providing healthy snacks to kids attending seven day camps in the community. The Depot executive director Tasha Lackman said it's an extension of after-school programs it offers during the year aimed not only at nourishing children but increasing food literacy skills. "It's building opportunities for kids to learn about food, eat healthy food and try new things," she said. Lackman said the programs are offered in part because not all schools in the neighbourhood have food assistance services to begin with. But ultimately, she said food insecurity is an issue that is linked to income. "What we need are comprehensive changes to our system to create better social safety nets with … stronger income supports like welfare, like minimum wage, like unemployment insurance," she said. She said until that's achieved, "organizations like ours are going to try and fill the gaps, but the gaps are getting deeper and deeper." Poverty reduction plan addresses food security: minister Chantal Rouleau, Quebec's minister responsible for social solidarity and community action, acknowledged the summer can put more pressure on families due to the absence of school programs, but she said several measures have been put in place to help, and food banks are accessible year-round. The province's poverty reduction plan has a section devoted to food security alone — a first in Quebec , according to the minister. A lot of the actions centre on urban agriculture, she said, with some gardens supplying solidarity gardens with fresh fruit and vegetables, while some organizations offer coupons that can be used in public markets. The goal, she said, is to bring people closer to their food sources and to work with partners to give them the tools and means to use that food and know how to cook it. Rouleau agreed with Lackman that addressing food insecurity means addressing other social issues and that the poverty reduction plan includes measures to improve access to housing, health care and a more robust social assistance program.
Business Upturn
27-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Moisson Montréal Rolls Out the Red Carpet and Awards $2 Million in Grants to 69 Heroes of Food Assistance
MONTREAL, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — This morning at the Jean-Talon Market, where it all began 40 years ago, Moisson Montréal concluded its 40th anniversary celebrations by awarding $2,048,311 in grants to 69 community agencies. These grants will fund the purchase of basic equipment like refrigerators, cold storage units, vehicles, crates, and tables, essential and concrete tools to better nourish Montrealer's living in precarious situations. To mark this important gesture, Moisson Montréal symbolically rolled out a red carpet. Not to celebrate prestige, but to honor those who, far from the spotlight yet at the heart of the action, work every day to support the most vulnerable. 'This isn't a glamorous event. What we are awarding today are fridges, stoves, and trucks. But behind each of these pieces of equipment lies an essential gesture toward food dignity. Today, we are celebrating the real heroes working in the frontline,' said Chantal Vézina, Executive Director of Moisson Montréal. A Powerful Response to Pressing Needs A total of 162 project proposals were received, reflecting a community sector under strain — rich in ideas but limited by resources. The high quality of submissions highlighted the scale of needs: outdated or missing basic equipment, spaces needing renovation, and delivery capacity to be strengthened. More than $5 million would have been needed to fund all submissions. The selection was carried out by an independent committee composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds in food security, applying rigorous criteria to prioritize project diversity, tangible impact, and territorial equity. 'We received solid, meaningful, human proposals. The selection process was heart-wrenching. Most of the projects deserved funding. That's why our Board of Directors decided to extend funding beyond the initial plan,' added Ms. Vézina. A Gesture Made Possible Thanks to The Rossy Foundation The grants were made possible through a major philanthropic donation from The Rossy Foundation, bolstered by a vote from Dollarama employees who helped direct The Rossy Foundation's funding to Moisson Montréal. This collective gesture raised $1.3 million, which was supplemented by Moisson Montréal's own funds. A Map Showcasing Impact Across All Boroughs A geographic map installed onsite allows visitors to visualize the projects supported throughout Montreal's boroughs. Each point represents a concrete solution driven by a community-based organization. This morning, 69 faces of resilience walked the red carpet. No trophies. Just everyday heroes feeding the vulnerable. For more information, please contact: Éliane LaroucheSenior Advisor, Communications and Public AffairsMoisson Montréal514 701-4206 [email protected]
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Moisson Montréal Rolls Out the Red Carpet and Awards $2 Million in Grants to 69 Heroes of Food Assistance
MONTREAL, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This morning at the Jean-Talon Market, where it all began 40 years ago, Moisson Montréal concluded its 40th anniversary celebrations by awarding $2,048,311 in grants to 69 community agencies. These grants will fund the purchase of basic equipment like refrigerators, cold storage units, vehicles, crates, and tables, essential and concrete tools to better nourish Montrealer's living in precarious situations. To mark this important gesture, Moisson Montréal symbolically rolled out a red carpet. Not to celebrate prestige, but to honor those who, far from the spotlight yet at the heart of the action, work every day to support the most vulnerable. "This isn't a glamorous event. What we are awarding today are fridges, stoves, and trucks. But behind each of these pieces of equipment lies an essential gesture toward food dignity. Today, we are celebrating the real heroes working in the frontline," said Chantal Vézina, Executive Director of Moisson Montréal. A Powerful Response to Pressing Needs A total of 162 project proposals were received, reflecting a community sector under strain — rich in ideas but limited by resources. The high quality of submissions highlighted the scale of needs: outdated or missing basic equipment, spaces needing renovation, and delivery capacity to be strengthened. More than $5 million would have been needed to fund all submissions. The selection was carried out by an independent committee composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds in food security, applying rigorous criteria to prioritize project diversity, tangible impact, and territorial equity. "We received solid, meaningful, human proposals. The selection process was heart-wrenching. Most of the projects deserved funding. That's why our Board of Directors decided to extend funding beyond the initial plan," added Ms. Vézina. A Gesture Made Possible Thanks to The Rossy Foundation The grants were made possible through a major philanthropic donation from The Rossy Foundation, bolstered by a vote from Dollarama employees who helped direct The Rossy Foundation's funding to Moisson Montréal. This collective gesture raised $1.3 million, which was supplemented by Moisson Montréal's own funds. A Map Showcasing Impact Across All Boroughs A geographic map installed onsite allows visitors to visualize the projects supported throughout Montreal's boroughs. Each point represents a concrete solution driven by a community-based organization. This morning, 69 faces of resilience walked the red carpet. No trophies. Just everyday heroes feeding the vulnerable. For more information, please contact: Éliane LaroucheSenior Advisor, Communications and Public AffairsMoisson Montréal514 701-4206elarouche@ in to access your portfolio
