Montreal food depot forced to turn people away amid increasing demand
The demand for services at the Depot Community Food Centre in NDG has gotten so high that, for the first time since it opened, the organization has had to start turning people away.
“I’m getting my food ready for the week for my menu,” said Community Chef Sebastian Britton, speaking to CTV in the non-profit’s kitchen on Monday. The centre used to be called the NDG Food Depot until a recent rebranding, but that’s not all that’s new.
“I’m also receiving my orders for the week,” he said. “So, today's nothing but a big prep day.”
It’s big prep for another big week, but that’s becoming the norm. Staff say a busy day would include around 200 prepared meals, but nowadays, that feels like a regular shift.
The Depot offers meals and access to an affordable marché to the community. The cost of living is rising among clients, management says, and it means the amount of people needing their services is climbing, too.
“It's our inability to help people that is very demoralizing and it makes it very, very hard,” said Houda Kerkadi, The Depot’s Community Engagement Coordinator.
“A lot of times, people had to make a payment that they didn’t expect. Sometimes, it would be because of an illness, or that their kid needed something … There’s a variety of cases.”
A rise in demand means The Depot can’t serve everyone, despite increasing its budget by half a million dollars this year.
To compensate, the centre has had to cut the market basket sizes by a third, and those who used to come twice a month, can now only come once.
“We see more people from all over the world, and migration is just going to continue. We see more people who have jobs, we see more students who can’t make ends meet, families, everyone is knocking on our door,” said Executive Director Tasha Lackman.
Moisson Montreal, one of the largest food banks in Canada, is also seeing a significant increase in demand.
“People who were accessing food banks are asking for more help. There hasn’t been an improvement,” said Maggie Borowiec, Moisson Montreal’s Director of Philanthopy.
“There haven’t been people who were just there temporarily, who were able to get back on their feet and not need the help anymore,” she added.
Last month, a garden was inaugurated in Pierrefonds-Roxboro to help supply a local food bank. Now, Moisson Montreal is doing the same thing.
Borowiec says it will allow the food bank to break free from sole reliance on donations, “to be actually be growing food dedicated to the food bank.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Mother's Day movies that pull at ALL the heartstrings
This Mother's Day Weekend, take a look at some of the most emotional movies inspired by moms.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Atlanta Hawks win 2024 NBA Draft Lottery, secure No. 1 overall pick
The Atlanta Hawks won the NBA draft lottery on Sunday, landing the No. 1 pick and a potential cornerstone player in a year where there’s no clear-cut choice.