West Island's mission is driven by growing demands on the food bank

West Island Mission is moving to a larger space as the economic crisis has pushed demand for their services to an all-time high.

The Mission is moving from Labrosse Street in Pointe-Claire to a larger location in Brunswick Dollars-des-Ormeaux.

Executive Director Susan Scarrow said the food bank serves about 1,000 people a month and needs to grow.

“We're a charity that serves people who are food insecure and can't put food on their table, and we're putting ourselves on fire as a charity and potentially putting ourselves at financial risk to serve the greater community. ,” he said.

Since 2020, the demand for food banks has increased.

“Since the pandemic, I've seen it get busier and busier, and that's when I started coming here,” said food bank customer Paul Elliott.

Elliott says the Mission makes a big difference for many people like him.

“I need a monthly supply of food,” he said. “I can't afford to go grocery shopping every week because of my finances.”

Reintegration specialist Sandra Watson says people living on fixed incomes struggle to keep up with the cost of living.

“I think the increase in the number of seniors coming in is because of the cost of living, the increase in inflation, and I think it's going to get a little worse in the next couple of months as July 1 approaches and rents go up. will be issued,” he said.

Scarrow said the mission was budgeted for the move, but costs have increased. The new location is three times the size and four times the price.

“Budgets are over budget,” Scarrow said. “It means I have to go into our operating budget. It means our customers are affected. We're asking for help from the community.”

The project includes a partnership with Volunteer West Island and a centralized Meals on Wheels kitchen. Scarrow said it's no good having a large food bank if the shelves are empty and the nonprofit is asking for financial help.

That way, they can in turn continue to feed families in the West Island.

The transfer is planned for the end of May.