West Island's food banks gearing up for Christmas

The West Island's three food banks are already getting phone calls from families looking for a little help around Christmas.

Despite West Island neighbourhoods being seen as affluent, there are still many pockets of poverty, saysWendyGariepy, operations manager at the West Island Mission food bank.

"A neighbour on your streetyou could have no idea what's inside the house," Gariepysaid. "There could be nothing inside."

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She said even areas like Beaconsfield, Pierrefonds and Pointe-Claire have their share of struggling families.

Along with two other food banks in the community, the West Island Mission helps keep 1,200 families fed each month.

They give families in need one basket per month. Each basket is worth about $60, according to Gariepy.

The West Island Mission explains what goes into a food donation basket.

8 years ago

Duration 0:54

Along with the two other food banks in the West Island, the West Island Mission helps keep 1200 families fed per month.

Food donations come from the public but the Mission will purchase missing essentials like fruit, vegetables and milk.

What goes in a basket

Gariepy said it's important to the organizationthat every basket has the makings of a healthy breakfast for kids including cereal, real fruit juice and peanut butter.

For donations, the public can offer up boxes of Kraft Dinner, as well as canned goods, snack items and baking supplies.

She added that the food bank often gets pasta donations because people know pasta is filling,but they forget about the sauce.

"We like to put it out there, telling people 'If you're going to buy the pasta, great, but buy us the sauce to go with it.'"

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The West Island Mission is one of 40 groupsreceiving assistance from the non-profit organization West Island Community Shares.

According to the organization, one in five West Islanders ask for help from community groups.

On Dec. 11, CBC Montreal's Charity Drive and Christmas Sing-In will take place at the Church of St. Andrew & St. Paul on Sherbrooke Street with proceeds going to the West Island Community Shares.

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