Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation

West Island Mission (WIM) is a community-based non-profit that provides well-balanced, high-quality food assistance and other related resources to those struggling with food insecurity on the West Island.

With the number of people using the food bank doubling since 2020, demand is greater than ever. Requests for food basket services have increased by over 30 per cent and due to the current low inventory levels, West Island Mission was forced to reduce the amount of food offered to families by about 25 per cent. 

Most food donations come in around the end-of-year holidays. WIM is now experiencing a significant lull in donations and is looking ahead to the coming months when fewer and fewer donations are expected, as families prepare for summer holidays, not to mention the high cost of food that all are experiencing.

WIM is holding its annual Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation campaign again this year. While most families are looking forward to summer break, camps, and travelling, many families feel the added stress of no longer having the support of lunch/snack programs provided by the schools for their children.

West Island Mission relies heavily on the support of the community. Expressing the greatest thanks and appreciation for the support given to them in the past, WIM is asking people to please consider donating in order to help restock its depleted shelves to ensure the needs of the community are met. Top food needs include canned meat, rice, granola bars, boxed juices, canned fruit and apple sauce, cookies and crackers.

Due to the ever-growing need, West Island Mission will be moving to a larger warehouse, nearly double the size of its old location, at the end of May. Effective June 1st, 2024, it will be located at 72D Brunswick, in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.