As winter temperatures plunge, the demand for food assistance in Montreal has surged, with over fifty individuals lining up outside the Les Pirates Verts food bank on Saturday night. Volunteer Marie-Pier denis noted a significant increase in both the number of people seeking help and the changing demographics of those in need. This holiday season, more than double the usual number of organizations are reaching out to Moisson montréal for support, prompting the food bank to extend its hours and remain open on December 27.
« Habituellement, on a 15 ou 20 organismes. Mais aux dernières nouvelles, je pense que 45 à 48 organismes [ont demandé d’avoir des denrées] le 27 décembre », constate la directrice générale de Moisson Montréal, Chantal Vézina.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, LA PRESSE
Le nombre d’organismes qui ont demandé à recevoir des denrées le 27 décembre a plus que doublé depuis l’année dernière, soutient Moisson Montréal.
Mme Vézina croit que si autant de centres d’aide alimentaire ont levé la main, c’est probablement parce que certains ont décidé de rester exceptionnellement ouverts, les besoins étant aujourd’hui immenses. la banque alimentaire aide à combler près d’un million de demandes d’aide alimentaire chaque mois par l’entremise des organismes qu’elle dessert.
Même son de cloche du côté de l’OBNL Les Pirates Verts, établi dans l’arrondissement d’Hochelaga, qui est depuis plusieurs années ouvert durant la période des Fêtes. On y sert des repas chauds jusqu’au 24 décembre, et l’organisme est aussi l’une des seules banques alimentaires ouvertes le samedi.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, LA PRESSE
Raïs Zaidi, fondateur de l’OBNL Les Pirates Verts
In Montreal, the demand for food assistance is surging, with organizations like Les Pirates Verts and La Tablée des chefs struggling to keep up. Raïs Zaidi, founder of Les Pirates Verts, notes that people often line up well before opening hours, highlighting the increasing need for support. Jean-François Archambault, director of La Tablée, echoes this sentiment, stating that despite their efforts, the demand continues to outpace supply. The changing profile of beneficiaries includes single-parent families, students, and newcomers, reflecting broader social issues such as the housing crisis. As food insecurity rises, local charities are mobilizing to meet the urgent needs of the community.As housing prices soar in Greater Montreal, food banks are witnessing a significant surge in demand, with many community workers attributing this increase to the escalating cost of living. The Société de Saint-Vincent de Paul reports a staggering 40% rise in families seeking assistance this year, with some areas like Pointe-aux-Trembles and L’Assomption experiencing an alarming 70% increase. This crisis highlights the intertwined issues of housing affordability and food insecurity, prompting urgent calls for comprehensive solutions to support vulnerable populations in the region.As food insecurity continues to rise in Greater Montreal, organizations like Moisson Montréal are struggling to meet the increasing demand for assistance.chantal Vézina, the organization’s director, expressed concern over the challenges they face, stating, “I don’t know how we will keep up with the pace.” The surge in families seeking help is directly linked to soaring housing costs, with some food banks reporting a doubling in the number of families served. Volunteers at distribution sites, such as the Pirates Verts in hochelaga-Maisonneuve, are working tirelessly to prepare meals for those in need, highlighting the critical role these services play in the community.In a heartwarming display of community support, volunteers from the Pirates Verts organization are providing essential meals to those in need, highlighting the growing reliance on food banks amid rising living costs.Stéphanie, a first-time user of food assistance, expressed her gratitude, stating, “I didn’t even know this existed before, but now it saves my life.” Many, like yves, who frequently visits the food bank, share similar sentiments, revealing that even with employment, affording basic necessities remains a challenge. As housing costs continue to soar, food banks are becoming vital lifelines for individuals struggling to balance rent and grocery expenses.Food banks in Quebec are facing unprecedented demand, with requests for assistance skyrocketing by 76% over the past five years. In 2024, Moisson Montréal reported fulfilling nearly one million monthly food aid requests, a significant increase from 567,317 in 2019. This surge is largely attributed to a growing number of families relying on food banks, which now make up 54.5% of all beneficiaries, up from 47.8%. As the community grapples with rising food insecurity, organizations are calling for increased support to meet the escalating needs of vulnerable populations across the province [1[1[1[1][2[2[2[2].
Evidence of growing needs during the holiday season has prompted many food assistance organizations to adjust their operations. According to Moisson Montréal,the number of organizations requesting food supplies on December 27 has more than doubled compared to last year. This significant increase suggests that many centers have opted to remain open during the holidays to address the heightened demand for food assistance.
Mme Vézina, a representative from Moisson montréal, emphasized that their food bank helps fulfill nearly one million food aid requests each month through various partner organizations. The urgency of the situation is reflected in the operational decisions of many local non-profits.
One such organization, Les pirates Verts, based in the Hochelaga district, has historically remained open during the festive season. They serve hot meals until December 24 and are noted for being one of the few food banks that operate on Saturdays, quietly addressing the needs of the community.
the efforts of these organizations illustrate a strong commitment to providing support in times of increased need, marking a proactive response to the growing challenges faced by many individuals and families during the holiday period.