Montreal charity goes door-to-door to collect donations amid Canada Post strike

As the nationwide Canada Post strike continues, many industries have been facing challenges.

Including Montreal non-profit MultiCaf who were scrambling to find other ways of collecting funds as they relied on mail for donations, especially ahead of the holiday season.

But on Friday, the community came together to help fundraise for families in need.

Volunteers went door-to-door and on the streets, collecting monetary donations along with bags filled with non-perishable food items that will be redistributed to thousands of households across the borough.

55,000 Canada Post workers represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) went on strike over on Nov. 15, after a year of bargaining.

The strike mandate came after workers demanded better pay, safer working conditions and other contract improvements.

“We are going door to door to pick up these monetary donations because we have really no other option,” said Cora MacDonald, Associate Director Philanthropic Development & Communications, MultiCaf.

“We need to be sure that we’re able to get some money into MultiCaf before the end of the year,” she added. “So we can help all of those families that so desperately need it.”

Around this time of the year, MultiCaf usually mails out a letter to the community requesting to send back monetary donations, and asking to drop off non-perishable items at their center.

Since that wasn’t feasible, volunteers instead went to over 7,000 homes two weeks ago – handing out a different letter.

“We say look, some people around you guys need some help,” said Jean-Sébastien Patrice, Executive Director, MultiCaf. “If you can, you can put it there and we’re going to pass by.”

“If you cannot and if you need,” he added. “Come we’re going to help you.”

The memo also included a list of non-perishable food items, a bag to place those donations in, and a call for these funds.

“It’s great,” said Félix Perazzo-Pinkstone, one of the many students from Mont-Royal High School who volunteered to help. “I’m a bit cold but generally I’m enjoying it.”

“I feel very lucky to be able to help out the Côte-des-Neiges community,” added his classmate, Raphael Paquette. “Everyone should be helping each other out when it’s hard times.”

Between Dec. 11^th and 18^th, the items collected will be available for pick up from the over 16,000 households they’re helping this year.

“We want just to bring some joy, happiness and little bit of love in our food that we’re going to give,” said Patrice.

“It’s really touching to see the community come together,” said MacDonald. “And to also be going door-to-door to inform other community members.”

“About the importance of giving back.”