West Island food bank to hold Sunday 'Porch to Pantry' food drive as donations dwindle
The West Island Mission usually has about three months worth of food at any time, but since donations have slowed down staff is unsure how much they will have to offer next week.
"We have nothing on the shelves," said executive director Suzanne Scarrow.
At their self-serve food bank, families can take what they need.
"If someone's reached out to a food bank, and is food insecure, at that time in their life, they should be choosing what their family needs," Scarrow said.
But these days, there isn't much choice. An urgent notice on its website says they are facing an "overwhelming demand."
About 1,000 people come to the Mission in Pointe-Claire for groceries every two weeks. The food bank has never had a problem with supply until now.
"We used to have three shelves of canned vegetables. Right now, there's next to nothing. It's scary times," Scarrow said.
With the rising cost of living in Canada, she said people aren't donating as much. About one quarter of the clients come from Pointe-Claire.
"Sadly, many of them are seniors and we are an aging community, so it's very important to us," said Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomas.
"I'm asking the residents to be generous to support their neighbours. People are worse off than people think."
The Mission is holding a one-day"Porch to Pantry" food drive Sunday where residents can leave bags of food on their porches for pick-up.
Lyse Baudette put out three bags filled with items like juice and canned tomatoes. Those items were on sale, she said.
"It's awful. I buy on special almost exclusively lately," she said.
Lyse Baudette put three bags of donated food outside her home for pick-up. (Luca Caruso-Moro/CTV News)
Scarrow said high on their wish list is high-nutrition and non-perishable foods.
"Even canned meals, soups, rice, peanut butter, canned meat — tuna, salmon, chicken," she said.
People can leave their food out for pick-up in a labelled bag at 9 a.m. Sunday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Britney Spears settles long-running legal dispute with estranged father, finally bringing ultimate end to conservatorship
Britney Spears has reached a settlement with her estranged father more than two years after the court-ordered termination of a conservatorship that had given him control of her life, their attorneys said.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
A top Qatari official urges Israel and Hamas to do more to reach a ceasefire deal
A senior Qatari official has urged both Israel and Hamas to show "more commitment and more seriousness" in ceasefire negotiations in interviews with Israeli media, as pressure builds on both sides to move toward a deal that would set Israeli hostages free and bring potential respite in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza.