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Annual Christmas Food Drive: Many thanks to our donors and volunteers that participated . . . (more) Letter to the Editor: "Humbling generosity in N.D.G." By Lynda Porter, The Gazette, Jan. 31, 2010 "Recession still bites at food bank" By ALISON MACGREGOR, The Gazette, Jan. 19, 2010 "Feeding the bottom line" By CHERYL CORNACCHIA, The Gazette, Nov. 28, 2009 |
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Who we are
The NDG Food Depot strives to eliminate hunger by working with our community in a manner that ensures dignity, community engagement and the development of human potential. We have been serving NDG and the surrounding Montreal boroughs since 1986 and have been an independent charitable organization since 2003. We see food as a powerful vehicle that can bring people together to forge innovative solutions to societal inequalities. top
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Our Philosophy
We wish to facilitate a shift from "food bank user" to "engaged and valued citizen". We aim to create an environment that provides meaningful opportunities for engagement and personal transformation. Our aim is to create a balance between direct emergency service and programs that promote self-help and community building. The key difference between the NDG Food Depot and regular food banks is our approach to the issues of food security. We are aware that food banks do little to address the underlying issues that lead to hunger, poverty and social isolation. We also appreciate that without access to healthy food, people will not have the energy to participate in initiatives that address these fundamental questions. top
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Our Programs
· Emergency Food Baskets
· Information and Referral Services
· Collective produce-buying group - "The Good Food Box"
· Cooking Programs
· Activities that break isolation and encourage social integration
· Sensitization initiatives that focus on issues of poverty and hunger
· Work programs that encourage civic engagement and build self-reliance
· Zero Food Waste Networks
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Our Team
Permanent Staff:
Fiona Keats
Bonnie Soutar
Kim Martin- Executive Director
- Outreach Coordinator
- Food Programs Coordinator admin@depotndg.org
info@depotndg.org
benevole@depotndg.org
Contract Staff:
Eduardo Navarro
Stacey Meiklejohn- Office Coordinator
- Intake Coordinator office@depotndg.org
service@depotndg.org
Board of Directors:
Lynda Porter
Rhonda Buckland
Kathryn Aitken
Lesley Winter- President
- Vice-President
- Secretary
- TreasurerSerge Bouharevich
Robert Dupont
Bill HlibchukPeter McQueen
Anny Mueller
Jordan Vergara
Honorary Members:
Andre Biron
Sandra Frost
Doreen Warren
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Membership
In addition to the constant need for basic food items, the NDG Food Depot also needs additional financial support, and this is why we are seeking the help of those citizens who are in a position to provide it. We invite you to join as a member under the following categories:♦ Regular Member at $5/year (or 5 hours volunteer work)
♦ Supporting Member at $25/year
♦ Benefactor at $100/year (or more). application form.
We would like to thank all those who have contributed to the work of the food bank by becoming a member. top
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How can you reach us and when are we open?
2121 Oxford, corner deMaisonneuve in NDG, Montreal, QC H4A 2X7One block south of Sherbrooke, 5 blocks west of Decarie Blvd.
Telephone: (514) 483-4680 E-mail: admin@depotndg.org
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Facts about the NDG Food Depot
Hunger and poverty does not discriminate.Who uses the food depot? 25% of food bank users are children younger than 14. Our food bank users come from all sectors, age groups, family situations, cultural and linguistic groups. Hunger does not discriminate between those in good health and poor, with and without mental illness, those with low paying jobs and no jobs, recent immigrants and families who have been here for generations.
Did you know that many of those who depend on the NDG Food Depot are school aged children and younger? Help us help others! Charitable and non-perishable food donations are urgently needed especially: baby food, macaroni & cheese and cans of tuna, beans, vegetables and fruits. top
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Donations
Charitable donations are needed to purchase additional food staples in bulk and to cover fixed expenses such as heat, light and rent. Cheques can be made out to "NDG Food Depot" and mailed to 2121 Oxford, Montreal, QC H4A 2X7 along with your full name and mailing address for tax receipt purposes. Online Visa or Master Card donations are also accepted through CanadaHelps.org, a non-profit charitable collection e-commerce that facilitates donations to Canadian charities such as ours. (Please note a small credit card transaction fee will be deducted before the tax receipt amount is calculated.)Non-perishable food items make up the bulk of our supply. These range from canned goods, to grains, pasta, soups and baby formula.
A steady stream of donations are needed year round. Just as we must eat regularly, the demand on the NDG Food Depot is unrelenting. The summer months are the most difficult, donations are low and do not fulfill the needs of the community. top
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Volunteers
We urgently need volunteers with cars to do home deliveries of food on Tuesdays from 11 am until around 3 pm.A regular group of volunteers is needed for food distribution, 3 times a week. The high demand and sheer volume of traffic makes these regular volunteers indispensible. Volunteers are also needed for fundraising and food collection which has been the backbone of our existance; unfortunately, empty bins cannot feed the hungry.
Contact us at benevole@depotndg.org to find out how you can help and become a volunteer. top
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Events
· Fundraising is constant throughout the year and essential in order to replenish depleting resources. Non-perishable donations can be dropped at the NDG Food Depot during opening hours. Every little bit helps!2010
· Bazaar to benefit the NDG Food Depot in January organized by Doreen and friends. It was a great success! Thank you to one and all.
· "Recession still bites at food bank" By ALISON MACGREGOR, The Gazette, Jan. 19, 2010
2009
· Annual Christmas Food Drive, our biggest fundraiser of the year! December 5th, 2009. Wow, what a success! Many thanks to our generous donors throughout the area and the volunteers that turned out.
· THE LYRIC THEATRE SINGERS BENEFIT CONCERTS where donations of non-perishable goods were collected for the NDG Food Depot.
· "Feeding the bottom line" By CHERYL CORNACCHIA, The Gazette, Nov. 28, 2009
· Depot Thriller Zombie Walk: Volunteers, staff and clients of the depot hit the streets to promote the December food drive.
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· Seasonal market at Monkland & Benny on Saturdays from August to October.
· 13th Annual Hot Dog BBQ at St. Ignatius Church.
· Concordia Baseball Tournament
· Festi-Faim: Summer Day Camp Food Drive
· The Annual General Meeting, was held on June 25th at the Food Depot. After the meeting, we were entertained and a good time was had by all.
· The NDG Ringuette team held a fundraiser/food collection for the NDG Food Depot on March 27th at the Doug Harvey Arena where they played a game against radio station 94.7 FM. Many thanks to all.
· CUTV Production 2009: YouTube video below!
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· Annual Food Drive on Saturday December 6th. It was again a resounding success and we would like to thank everyone, both donors and volunteers for their efforts.
· Bake & Book Sale also in December. Thank you to Doreen and all her helpers for this fundraiser.
· Seasonal market from August to October.
· 12th Annual Hot Dog BBQ.
· The Summer Day Camps' Food Drive, was yet another success. A big thank-you to all of the youthful volunteers.
· The Annual General Meeting, on June 12. Everyone was welcome to participate!
2007
· The annual door-to-door food drive on December 8th.
· 11th Annual Hot Dog BBQ.
· The Summer Day Camps' Food Drive.
· The Annual General Meeting.
2006
· The Annual Food Drive at the end of November.
· 10th Annual Hot Dog BBQ.
· The Summer Day Camps' Food Drive.
· The Annual General Meeting.
2005
· Annual Food Drive: On November 26th.
· Bake & Book Sale also in November.
· Comedy Show and again in November. · Benefit at Brutopia August. · 9th Annual Hot Dog BBQ.
· Day Camps' Food Drive, Summer.
· Concert: St. Columba Church choir at Loblaw's (St. Jacques & Cavendish) on February 12th. 2004 · Annual Food Drive: On December 11th, 2004.
· Bake & Book Sale: November 20th and 21st.
· Comedy Show November 4th. · Benefit at Brutopia September. · 8th Annual Hot Dog BBQ, August.
· Day Camps' Food Drive, Summer.
· Annual General Meeting on June 15th.
· Rock Concert at Club One January 30th featured Taylor Made, EF and Alex Gardner. 2003 · Car Hop at Loblaws, December. · Food Drive, November. · Comedy Show, November. · Bazaar at St. Ignatius church, October . · Empty Bowls, October. · 7th Annual Hot Dog BBQ, August.
· Day Camps' Food Drive, July.
· Members' Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation, May. top
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Partnership Projects
Together with the NDG Coalition for Food Security, we are working to establish a Community Kitchen, a fully-equipped kitchen owned by and available to the community for its food security needs. Presently in the planning stages, our priorities will be a Community Restaurant and the preparation of "Meals on Wheels" dinners.First Steps, a program at the CLSC NDG / Mtl.West, provides food, counselling, information on nutrition and some medical services to expectant mothers.
The NDG / Mtl West Senior Meal Services Community Committee is concerned with ensuring that all senior citizens in NDG and Mtl. West have access to the many meal programs available in the area.
The Victory Garden Network aims to teach local residents how to grow food in an urban setting, improve job search skills and broaden their social network.
Additional projects in the future will be determined by the interests of the community members. top
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Links to sites with common interests
Conseil communautaire NDG Centraide MUCS ActionCommuniterre MultiCafSantropol Roulant Head and Hands The Stop Community Food Centre top
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History of the
2009
Feeding the bottom line
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Photograph by: DAVE SIDAWAY, The Gazette Story by: CHERYL CORNACCHIA, The Gazette, November 28, 2009 |
Thriller Zombie Walk
| NDG Food Depot Zombies dance Thriller through the streets of NDG to promote the December 5th food drive. Crowds gathered and were "thrilled" with the show! Thanks to FIONA for organizing this amazing effort. |
Seasonal Market
Ringuette Food Drive
2008
Seasonal Market
Knitting Group
