It was a good summer

Here we are mid-September.  This past summer turned out to be a good one in the food bank.  In late April it looked like we were in for some tough sledding through the spring and summer.  Our food supplies were very low.  For the first time in 9 years, I reached out to the media with our need and they stepped up big time.  The Suburban started the media storm, followed by The Chronicle and West Island Gazette.  Then CBC Radio, Global News, CTV News and CHOM came to the party.  The West Island was buzzing.  We asked that Companies, Churches, organizations, and individuals help us raise food.  The community stepped up, big time.  By the end of the drive, which lasted over a month, our shelves were full.  We collected more food than we did last Christmas.

One of the greatest stories involved an eight year old named Dustin.  He saw the CTV news piece and told his parents he would spend the summer collecting cans, returning them and buying food for the food bank.  He did just that.  People around him became inspired and donated money to his cause.  People from Ontario and the US sent him money.  By the end of the summer he had spent more than $500 on food for the food bank.  This was HIS idea.

I changed my mind, it was a GREAT summer!

Peace,

K

Drop off points for Non-Perishables

West Island non-perishable food drop off  points;
On Rock Community Services,  9554 Gouin West, Pierrefonds
Sanavita, in Fairview Mall
Monster Gym, in Fitness City
Le Fitness Loft,  2060 Trans Canada, Dorval
Mourelatos,  4957 Boul Saint-Jean, Pierrefonds
Village de Valeurs,  3399 Des Sources, DDO
BMO; (as of 3pm)
Kirkland, 2867 Boul St Charles 

Fairview (in the mall)

DDO, 3761 Sources 

Pointe-Claire,  6500 Transcanada

3399 Des Sources Blvd, Dollard-Des-Ormeaux (Montreal), QC H9B 1Z8 - See more at: http://www.villagedesvaleurs.com/Find-A-Store.aspx?z=Saisissez%20la%20ville%20ou%20le%20code%20postal#sthash.ra1wPcRN.dpuf

3399 Des Sources Blvd, Dollard-Des-Ormeaux (Montreal), QC H9B 1Z8 - See more at: http://www.villagedesvaleurs.com/Find-A-Store.aspx?z=Saisissez%20la%20ville%20ou%20le%20code%20postal#sthash.ra1wPcRN.dpuf

3399 Des Sources Blvd, Dollard-Des-Ormeaux (Montreal), QC H9B 1Z8 - See more at: http://www.villagedesvaleurs.com/Find-A-Store.aspx?z=Saisissez%20la%20ville%20ou%20le%20code%20postal#sthash.ra1wPcRN.dpuf

On Rock's 7th Annual Wine Tasting

May 31st will be the 7th Annual Wine Tasting!  This year we will be sampling Italian wines from the Venetian region, with appropriate food pairings.  Tickets are $90.   La Trattorria will be providing some of the Italian dishes.  As in past years the event will be held at the Community Center East, 9665, boul. Gouin Ouest Pierrefonds (QC) H8Y 1R4.  You can reserve tickets or a table by emailing me at kim@onrock.org.  You can also pay online at, http://onrock.org/single_donation.html Just write "Wine Tasting" in the comment section. There are only 120 tickets and last year we sold out before the event.  So, reserve quickly. I hope to see you there.

Peace,

K

The Coldest Night of the Year!

It is that time of year again!  Feb. 22nd is our Coldest Night of the Year 2/5/10 km walk for the On Rock Community Services Food Bank.  Our goal this year is to raise $30,000.  We need team leaders and walkers.  What could be more fun than taking a walk in the cool February air with over 100 other people and raising money for those in our community who need us.  Come and join us!  Check out coldestnightoftheyear.org/location/montrealwest

Peace,

K

Christmas Distribution 2013

When I think about our Christmas distribution this year, I am blown away.  First, by the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers.  There were over 40 (I think over 50, but I didn't count and I don't like inflating numbers) volunteers running around filling 181 boxes with food stuffs for our families.  Many of these volunteers also delivered boxes, some making a few trips, to make sure that our families received their Christmas baskets. The weather was dicey at best, and yet they were willing to make those extra trips for our friends in need.

Secondly, the amount of food that came in allowed us to really bless our community.  Over $50,000 in food was distributed.  Most families received two or three boxes to get them through this holiday season.  One lady, upon receiving 2 large boxes, became emotional and was very grateful for this moment of light in her rather gloomy experience.  We also distributed over $25,500 in gifts.  Many of our friends can't afford regular life, let alone Christmas gifts for their kids.  Parents show amazing gratitude, when they are able to give their kids gifts.

On top of all this good news, an anonymous donor offered us $10,000 if we could find someone to match it  This week, a matching donor came forward!  I can't wait to see what the new year will bring.  Have a Merry Christmas.

Peace,

K 

In The News...

Here is the latest article focusing on our Food Bank.  Merry Christmas Everyone!

http://www.westislandchronicle.com/Community/2013-12-17/article-3547193/Making-ends-meet/1

Peace,

K

Crazy, Amazing and a Little Scary...

To say that a lot has gone on since my last blog would be an understatement.  There are 3 major changes that we are thrilled with. 

First, We now have a gas stove and fryer in our kitchen.  Due to a generous donor we have converted our kitchen to gas.  For those of you who have experienced cooking with gas, it is an amazing upgrade. 

Second, The amazing truck you see in the picture above, is ours.  It was donated to us by Hockey Helps the Homeless, and the graphics were donated by Pazazz Printing.  This means, no more beloved green bus.  With the food supplies we have been receiving, the green bus was becoming very impractical. 

And last but not least, we have now expanded our space, officially, to 9,000 sq. feet.  We were unofficially using 4,000 that the landlord couldn't rent.  In the last year we grew to the point where we couldn't live without it.  In the last month, he found a renter, but wanted to give us first shot at it.  After much discussion we arrived at an amazing deal, that only adds $2000 a month to our rent.  We are very happy that we no longer live under the cloud of "will he rent it?"  This does create other challenges, like raising the funds to pay for it.  We are trusting that this will work out. 

We are now serving between 185 & 200 families every week.  Sometimes I wonder how we got here.  It is daunting and yet also very exciting to see that we can make a difference in people's lives by showing them love, through the very practical act of providing food.

Thank you to all who serve here, whether in action or with financial support.  We could not make a difference without you.

Peace,

K