MONTREAL—There were many helping hands on Monday morning at Oxford St. and de Maisonneuve Blvd. as the NDG Food Depot's home for the last 20 years was cleared out.

Volunteers moved crate after crate, filling the trucks in record time.

“It's a great buzz,” said volunteer James Hughes. “The people who are getting involved here really believe in the cause, believe in the people who are running this place, certainly believe in the community.”

Proving the people of Notre-Dame-de-Grace with emergency food services, over 700 food baskets are distributed weekly by the non-profit.

“They help maintain everyone's dignity and that was the main thing for me,” said another volunteer, James Montgomery.

It's time for the depot to move on. The building's owner had initially given them until the summer to find a new home, only changing his mind a week ago.

“He will say time and time again that he's getting old, which we understand. He wants to sell the building. Just how it went down wasn't the best,” said executive director Kimberly Martin.

“We see all chaos and change in life as an opportunity to change and become a better organization.”

After a two week break, the service will continue to provide emergency food.

The depot’s temporary location will be at the Rivers' Edge Church just a few blocks away from its current location on Cote-St-Antoine Rd. and Marcil St.

“My muscles are going to be a bit sore tonight. I feel great, I feel great. It's a worthy cause—so let’s do it,” said an enthusiastic Chris Breier.

“It's a bit overwhelming at the moment because you don't really realize how much stuff we have,” said volunteer Brooke Lindsay.

Cooking workshops will continue in the kitchen, but there is one hitch.

“In the old place we were able to give out fresh eggs, fresh milk and fresh vegetables. Here we just don't have the refrigeration or freezer space to do so,” said Martin. “Those may have to be taken off our menu for the next few months.”

They depot will be ready to resume all other services on April 16 on Tuesdays and Fridays. The hunt is on for a permanent location. The depot hopes they’ll be settled by fall for a fresh start.