Montreal student-volunteers serve freshly cooked healthy meals to homeless community

From handing out clothing to sharing freshly cooked meals, Montreal student-volunteers with a non-profit organization did their part to help the city’s homeless population on Sunday.

Organized by Welfare Avenue, students were helping the community near Montreal’s Berri-UQAM metro station.

Their presence was a huge help for Vinh Quang Dang, who heard rumours there would be a free meal. He was happy to see the students there.

“I was so close to living in the streets, like almost five years now,” said Dang.

It was Dang’s first time grabbing a meal from volunteers at Welfare Avenue.

“The food is very good and very healthy,” he said. “I have to repeat every time… the only thing I ask is not spicy, or never spicy.”

Others have become regulars, thankful for having access to valuable resources since the non-profit began operations two years ago.

“When lockdown hit, when everyone was staying inside, I would take walks,” recounted Welfare Avenue founder and student Steel James MacDonald. “Because for my mental health, I think it was very healthy. And in the downtown area, I would see no one really, except for people that were sitting on the corner, homeless or with low income. They had nowhere to stay.”

What started with a walk became a passion for MacDonald.

“I decided to give them some food. It felt amazing. I was super fulfilled,” he said.

To date, more than 500 volunteers have helped MacDonald give back to the community – at events, cooking meals, distributing food and supplies, and much more.

“We’re a group of students, so we’re still in university or CEGEP, we’re still studying,” said volunteer Caroline Hunziker.

“And it’s amazing to see what we can do, actually, as young people, as young adults.”

---

RELATED:

• Montreal aims for strategic, long-term plan to reduce homelessness
• Multifaith soup kitchen in Montreal preparing meals for less fortunate
• Indigenous people experiencing homelessness in Montreal a ‘humanitarian crisis’

---

“People are here, rain or shine, always here, no matter what,” added volunteer Kellian Debargis. “We’ve been here even when it’s minus-30. The people will always be hungry, always need help. And we’re going to continue being here.”

The volunteers shared meals that were prepared and cooked that very morning. The goal: to fill the stomachs of Montrealers in need, and warm their hearts.

“Very important in terms of accessing fresh food, food that is healthy, especially when they need it. So that’s amazing,” said Hunziker.

“They always say to us, we have the best meals to serve,” added MacDonald. “So, yeah, it’s very nice. Made with love, right?”

Welfare Avenue is planning to hand out free meals to those in need every second weekend this summer.

For Dang, he says he’ll be back to grab a meal in the future. He says his focus is on creating a better tomorrow, hoping to one day fulfill his dreams by becoming an actor.

“Be positive and try to live the life the most, the best way I can,” he said.

“And my second dream, it’s now just to get married and have kids. Like everybody.”