Big plans for the Memphremagog Food Bank

A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION TO HUNGER

In recent years, hunger has gained ground in the Memphremagog MRC. In fact, the Memphremagog Food Bank saw a 21% increase in requests for assistance in 2023-2024. This increase particularly affected families. Today, children account for 37% of its users. 

“Faced with this alarming increase, we absolutely had to adapt to increase capacity and better help the community,” points out Karine Beaupré, General Manager.

Indeed, the Food bank’s building in its current state has reached capacity. Following several studies carried out with external consultants, the organization decided to renovate the first floor to recover space for administrative offices and double the size of the social grocery store. Offices and a new meeting room will be set up upstairs.

This transformation will have a positive impact on the community and allow to:

• Double the number of beneficiaries assisted at the social grocery store, from 2 to 4 households every twenty minutes (up to 64 households per day);
• Collect around 30,000 kg of additional food per year.

A MAJOR CAMPAIGN FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED PROJECT

This project has already received support from Food Banks of Quebec’s financial assistance program for the development of storage infrastructures, funded by the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de alimentation ($100,000).

“We're delighted to see the significant impact of the financial assistance program for the development of storage infrastructures. Food banks are essential to ensuring food security and supporting our most vulnerable members. Thanks to the funds obtained, the Memphremagog Food Bank will be able to improve the services it offers and thus serve more people in need on its territory.” - Martin Munger, General Manager, Food Banks of Quebec.

The organization can also count on the support of the Caisse Desjardins du Lac-Memphremagog ($50,000), the Memphremagog Hospital Foundation ($47,813) and the Canadian Foundation FCSCJ ($20,000).

A CALL FOR GENEROSITY

Through its major fundraising campaign, which will run until 2027, the Food bank aims to raise a total of $730,000. In this video (with English subtitles), Pascale Wilhelmy, author, journalist and BAM spokesperson, calls on the public to support the campaign by donating.

How can you contribute?

• Companies are invited to demonstrate their social commitment by making corporate donations, thereby contributing directly to a project that will have a direct positive impact on the region. A donor recognition program is available on the website.

• Business and organization leaders are encouraged to commit to the cause by launching a fundraising campaign among their staff.

• Finally, members of the community are invited to make an individual donation, whatever the amount. Every contribution, no matter how small, will help improve the lives of those in need.

Ready to make a difference? Visit the campaign page or donate online.

A PROJECT OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE

Given the scale of the community's needs, the Board of Directors gave the green light to the expansion project in the spring of 2024. Following a call for tenders, the Food bank retained the services of Constructions Guy Sébas. Construction began in November 2024 and is being carried out in phases to continue serving beneficiaries. The unveiling of the new social grocery store is scheduled for fall 2025.