Renovations means dozens of Montreal community groups need to move or close
More than a dozen community groups have been told they have to leave their building in Montreal's Parc-Extension neighbourhood.
The William Hingston Centre is set to undergo renovations, and one food program is being forced to close when people in the area need it the most.
The Parc-Extension Youth Organization will end its food service program next week after 22 years of operation.
"We're heartbroken," said executive director Jo-An Audrey Jette.
The community kitchen serves around 150 people every lunch hour from Monday to Friday.
Anyone can come to eat a warm, low-priced meal for $4 to $6.
Clients are devastated that it's closing.
"For me, it's very bad because I'm on pension," said 74-year-old Ernesto Sijuenza.
Sijuenza also comes to the cafeteria to socialize and is a client of the organization's meals on wheels program.
It serves 50 to 70 seniors every day.
That program is also ending.
"We're the ones that catch the people that fall through the cracks and those services are jeopardized right now," said Jette.
The Centre de Services Scolaire de Montreal owns the William Hingston Centre where the organization is located.
In an email, a spokesperson told CTV News that major renovation work needs to be done on the building.
There are many services offered in the building and they are being forced to move to different locations.
"Parc-Extension is going to be poorer for losing this centre," said Jette.
The City of Montreal told CTV News that the proportion of citizens suffering from food insecurity is on the rise and that the city has helped relocate 15 organizations with administrative offices in the building.
Jette said, however, that the city will not help the youth organization find a new kitchen.
"The spaces that we're being offered is the best that this city can do," said Jette. "They're not adequate."
Ensemble Montréal city councillor Mary Deros says Mayor Valérie Plante's Projet Montréal administration needs to do more.
"Right now we are in great need of our own building, our own local community centre," she said.
The community kitchen's last day is March 28. Jette hopes the closure is temporary and that they'll be able to reopen in the near future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NEWS 'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
Helicopter carrying Iran's president suffers a 'hard landing,' state TV says without further details
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi suffered a 'hard landing' on Sunday, Iranian state media reported, without immediately elaborating.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean "Diddy" Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was "truly sorry" and his actions were "inexcusable."
The secret Italian lakes that most tourists don't know about
Italy has dozens of secret smaller lakes that boast superb scenery, unknown to mass tourism, where locals get together on day trips and enjoy picnics.
Residents evacuated after threats made to residence in Fall River, N.S.
Nova Scotia RCMP are warning the public to avoid the area around Canterbury Lane in Fall River after a threat was made at a residence.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.