Where to go in time of need

Falling on hard times is something that can happen to anyone. There are a number of food banks in the West Island that can help out during a rough patch.

The West Island Assistance Fund provides a food bank for those in need, as well as furniture and clothing. They also offer a summer camp for under-privileged children. The West Island Assistance Fund is located at 9 Commercial Centre in Roxboro and can be reached at 514-683-0456.

The West Island Mission provides food assistance upon request to less fortunate West Islanders. They also provide food baskets to their recipients three times a year – Christmas, Easter, and back-to-school. For more information on the West Island Mission, visit www.wimmoi.com, or call 514-912-6813.

Onrock Ministries operates a food bank on the West Island that provides needy families with food every Monday. The Open Arms Café, which is open from Sunday to Tuesday, provides meals to people who cannot make ends meet. Onrock also runs The Vault, a drop in centre for teens, located in Pierrefonds. For more on Onrock Ministries, visit www.onrock.org or call 514-696-1905.

A number of religious institutions in the West Island also offer assistance to those in need. For more information, call the West Island Community Resource Centre at 514-694-6404.