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Feed 260 families each week at Open Hands Pantry in Montréal

Help keep a free food pantry open for families facing hunger in Montréal.

Anywhere in the world2,931 views
Raphaël Nicolas Gonzalez
Email verifiedAddress verified
Montréal
Since 2020, our volunteer team has run Open Hands Pantry every Thursday from the back of the old library basement. We started with 13 families, and now we feed 260 each week. Donations have dropped by about 55% this school holidays, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 10 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Montréal market and keep every receipt. Each $40 feeds a family of four for a week. I'll post the weekly shopping receipts and a photo of the shelves each Sunday. Where the $2,450 goes: • Baby formula and diapers: $450 • Refrigeration and electricity: $250 • Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $1,750 I'll pay this kindness forward the moment I'm able to.
#food-pantry#hunger#volunteer-led#food

Updates from Raphaël

  1. Quick update: $470 raised so far (19%). I met with the wholesaler and confirmed the amounts. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

  2. We're at 13% thanks to 8 of you. I made the first payment toward baby formula and diapers. More news soon.

Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Anonymous 🇨🇦 · $200

    “Be well. Shared with friends too. - Kelowna”

  • Zawadi Rose Massawe 🇰🇪 · $100
  • Nahom Wolde 🇪🇹 · $100

    “Rooting for you. From Gondar with love. - Gondar”

  • Yves Dupuis 🇫🇷 · $85
  • Anonymous 🇵🇰 · $50

    “Thought of Raphaël all day after reading this. - Mardan”

  • Ximena K. Lawson 🇨🇦 · $50
  • Gizem Gizem Can 🇹🇷 · $50
  • Anonymous 🇰🇪 · $50
  • Satria Zulkifli Lubis 🇮🇩 · $30
  • Tahmina Rubina Mondal 🇧🇩 · $25
  • Chang-min Tae-yang Cho 🇰🇷 · $25
  • Anonymous 🇹🇷 · $25
  • Stella White 🇺🇸 · $20

    “Rooting for you. Thought of Raphaël all day after reading this. - San Diego”

  • Hannah Efua Fuseini 🇬🇭 · $20
  • Alejandra D. López 🇺🇸 · $15
  • Sergio Caruso 🇮🇹 · $15

    “Blessings. Thought of Raphaël all day after reading this. - Rome”

  • Daniel B. Ochoa 🇲🇽 · $14

    “Good luck. From Tehuacán with love. - Tehuacán”

  • Cecilia Bergqvist 🇸🇪 · $10
  • Kaylee McDaniel 🇺🇸 · $10
  • Cynthia D. Banks 🇺🇸 · $10

    “You got this. Saw your post and had to give. - Winston-Salem”

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  • Muhammad Haris Kartika

    More neighborhoods should do this. Love from Likoni.

    • Raquel Edilene Santos

      Praying for you, Raphaël. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. All the best

      • Emon Rahim Jahan

        You're not alone, Raphaël. I hope things turn around soon!

        • Cristian B. Mendoza

          So sorry you're going through this, Raphaël. Gave what I could, wish it was more. I'll check back for the next update

          • Kelechi Henry Adeyemi

            I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Wish I lived closer to Mombasa so I could bring a meal. Love from Paarl!

            • Grace Omolara Nwankwo

              Thinking of you and your family, Raphaël. More neighborhoods should do this. Please keep us posted. Thinking of Montréal.

              • Lola Esther Okonkwo

                Thanks for sharing this, Raphaël. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Love from Dharan.

                • Chloe W. Baker

                  Wishing you peace, Raphaël. Projects like this are what make a place worth living in. God bless.

                  • Hussain Omer Hussain

                    Wishing you the best, Raphaël. Gave what I could, wish it was more. I'm in social work myself and wanted you to know we're cheering for you. Love from Móstoles.

                    • Senait Eden Getu

                      Sending love. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. Wish I lived closer to Mumbai so I could bring a meal. God bless.

                      $954 raised of $2,450

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