Small Steps against Hunger - Children at the heart of mutual help and solidarity actions for needy Montréal families

MONTREAL, July 4, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Émilie Thuillier, Vice-Chair of the Montréal Executive Committee responsible for social and community development, family and senior citizens, the status of women and youth, together with Dany Michaud, Executive Director, Moisson Montréal, Thomas Vallières, actor and spokesperson for the event and several borough mayors, today kicked off the Small Steps against Hunger campaign. A major collection event will be held throughout the city and in several boroughs on July 30. Children will lend their support to the campaign by collecting non-perishable food. This day of mobilization will help to collect donations for needy Montréal families as well as create awareness among young people of the need to share.

"The food aid given through the school system stops for the summer months, and too many local families are unable to feed their families adequately during that period. Who else besides children are in a better position to mobilize the community and demonstrate human solidarity.  I invite Montrealers to respond to this appeal to generosity and would like to thank our partners and sponsors who have given their support to a unifying and promising project," said Émilie Thuillier.

"Small Steps against Hunger is an opportunity to remind the community that food insecurity is a daily concern for some people, regardless of season. Month after month throughout the year, Moisson Montréal works hard to meet the food requirements of more than 142,000 Montrealers. We are pleased to be involved in this show of solidarity, which will help us in the long term to better meet the needs this summer of the 214 community organizations that depend on us. We support the idea of children discussing healthy eating habits as part of a meaningful activity such as this one," said Dany Michaud, Executive Director, Moisson Montréal.

A popular and meaningful activity
Small Steps against Hunger Day will be held on July 30 simultaneously in the Montréal boroughs, thanks to the help of municipal day camp counsellors and several partners. Child ambassadors and camp counsellors will knock at doors throughout neighbourhoods to collect non-perishable food for Moisson Montréal, the food bank for the Island of Montréal.

The foodstuff collected will help to replenish Moisson Montréal supplies, which tend to deplete during summer. Drop-off points have been set up throughout the city where residents may bring their donations. Some 30 blue-collar workers from the city's Direction des immeubles will lend a hand to collect the goods. Also, Sun Youth will participate in this day of mobilization by overseeing the children's safety.

"The Food Fest event, which has been a summer tradition in the Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough for more than 10 years, served as an inspiration to the project and reflects the generosity of residents. I truly hope that the Small Steps against Hunger campaign will encourage the community to show the same solidarity and will help to create awareness among children of the values of mutual help and sharing," added Émilie Thuillier.

Montrealers are invited to visit their borough website for soon-to-be posted information regarding the non-perishable food collection in their borough. For more information on Moisson Montréal, please visit www.moissonmontreal.org

SOURCE: Ville de Montréal - Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif

For further information:

Sources:

Sarah Shirley
Office of the Mayor and Executive Committee
514 872-5628

Marie-Claire Lynn
Communications Officer, Moisson Montréal
514 701-4206

Information:  

Philippe Rousseau
Public Affairs
514 872-5012