Hundreds of Quebec community groups are preparing to protest Wednesday in a united bid to increase funding to organizations including health clinics, legal clinics and food banks.

The groups are banding together for what they expect to be large demonstrations in cities across the province.

“If one at a time is doing a big shout, it doesn't work. We have to be together,” said Roger Côté, director of Multicaf, a community food resource that offers a hot meal and a break from isolation for some 300 people daily. It also provides 800 food baskets to underprivileged families every month.
 
The groups say there has been no increase in funding from the Liberal government and with the cost of living and food rising, they barely make ends meet. There is also no room for contingencies, said Côté.

“If our truck breaks today or tomorrow, we have to replace that, and we don't have the budget for that,” he said.

The situation is critical, said Francois Saillant of housing rights group Front d'action populaire en réaménagement urbain, or FRAPRU.

“We want more money in the next budget. We cannot wait. There are too many groups that are in difficulty right now,” said Saillant. “The groups, year after year, are poorer, so some groups are forced to close their doors.”

Many are also forced to lay off employees or reduce services, he said.

From food banks to women’s groups to organizations that help immigrants, they’re all affected, said Saillant.

“The government doesn't recognize the problem,” he said.

Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity François Blais said his department meets with community groups regularly and will continue to do so.

Those planning to demonstrate, however, said those meetings don’t result in change.

“The people who are coming (to the food bank) are the ones that are staying poor. There's no change for them in their life,” said Côté.

Saillant said it’s time for all the groups to unite.

“It's the first time that that all these groups are working together. It's because the problem is everywhere, so for us it’s the time to take action,” he said.