Collective Gardens

This year we continued work in both the North and Vanier Gardens. We started 2 other gardens: the Access Garden, a raised bed garden that is ideal for persons with reduced mobility, and the Eardley Garden which is in use exclusively for the Food Bank.

65 persons belonging to 25 families benefited from this alternative program.

More than 1000 students and 36 teachers from the Village, Rapide-des-Chênes and Eardley schools took part in the Sow Mutual Help project. They planted 25 types of vegetables and 68 different varieties were transplanted in the various Gardens.

Collective Kitchens

In 2009 118 persons benefited from 12 collective kitchens (6 in Deschênes, 6 in Eardley) where a total of 45 meals and 1018 portions were prepared.

Participants were proud to take home nourishing and inexpensive meals.

Healthy Meals Program

18 families participated in 3 exercises. Recipes are available in French, English and Spanish for better comprehension.

We invite people of other nationalities to share their best recipes with us.

Healthy Meals Program

A new alternative that replaces the monthly food basket. The participants have the possibility to receive 7 healthy menus, recipes and ingredients included.

Christmas Sharing Store

330 persons belonging to 120 family units registered, among which were 30 persons living alone, 53 small families, 27 large families and 10 extra large families.

The amount of groceries received per family is : $137.00 for people living alone, $204.00 for small families, $340.00 for large families and $380.00 for extra large families.

The Sharing Store is an activity put in place by a group of local partners that take the impoverished population's quality of life to heart during the Holidays. Among our partners and collaborators, there is the Centre de santé et services sociaux de Gatineau, the Table de concertation sur la faim et le développement social de l'Outaouais, Christchurch and the St-Vincent-de-Paul : Central council, Aylmer Particular Council and St-Mark's Conference.

You already know about the Christmas baskets and how they work. The Sharing Store is an additional option that will be available to low-income families that will be able to choose to take part in this activity or to receive a Christmas basket. At the Sharing Store there is a party atmosphere. The participants can choose their fresh items as well as their perishable items that they will need for their household, depending on its size.A minimal cost is attached to their purchases. An evaluation allows the participants to speak up and implicate themselves in return

You can help, whether it's in the form of money, food donations or time. We need your help and support for the accomplishment of this new alternative to counter poverty.

• People have the possibility to choose the desired food.
  

• People cannot choose, they must accept what they receive.

• People are consulted with the help of a survey to identify and determine what they desire to find at the Sharing Store.
  

• People are not consulted to determine what will be in their bags.

• People can involve themselves in various ways in the Sharing Store set-up.

• The Christmas baskets project has been in place for many years, its structure is very clear but leaves very little place for people to involve themselves.

• People have to pay a small amount for their food.

• The baskets are free.

• The Sharing Store is organized like a grocery store with full shelves and carts.
  

• The baskets are delivered at home. There is no actual location for the activity.

• Each household will be accompanied by a volunteer that will help them understand the Sharing Store concept.

• Because the baskets are delivered at home, households do not need accompaniment

• The Sharing Store offers people the possibility to receive, but to give also. They can give time to help with the project.

• People receive baskets. They do not have the opportunity to participate in the gathering of the baskets or do volunteer work.

• The Sharing Store becomes an ideal place to develop new friendships and exchange thoughts with others.

• Since the basket recepients are not in contact with others, they do not have the chance to develop new friendships.

• The Sharing Store will consist of a wide variety of healthy, wholesome food.

• The baskets consist of healthy, wholesome food

• People have to travel to come to the Sharing Store.

• The baskets are delivered directly to the people's homes.

• For the Sharing Store, a transportation service will be available as well as a babysitting service on site.

• These services are not necessary since the baskets are delivered at home.