Alouettes player launches holiday food drive to help Montreal families in need

Montreal families facing food insecurity this holiday season are finding support through a grassroots initiative led by Canadian Football League player Isaac Adeyemi Berglund — an effort rooted in community, compassion and the belief that even small acts of kindness matter.

Berglund, a defensive lineman with the Montreal Alouettes, is the founder of The Berglund Bridge, a foundation inspired by his upbringing on the East Coast and the support his family once relied on themselves. This December, that mission is taking shape through the Winter Wellness and Holiday Food Drive, aimed at helping families put food on the table during one of the most difficult times of the year.

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Building community through giving

For Berglund, the initiative is the result of years of reflection and lived experience.

“This initiative began, the idea began a long time ago,” he said. “I was coached by Corey Mace in Calgary, and he had his turkey drive, and I was a part of it for a couple of years when I was a player, as a young player.”

He says watching community-driven efforts in action motivated him to create something of his own.

“I’ve always wanted to take things into my own hand and be able to kind of control, you know, when I can go out, when I could help the community,” he said. “This is an initiative that I started this year, the Winter Wellness and Holiday Food Drive, for my foundation.”

Though it’s the first year, Berglund says the response has been encouraging.

“It’s been a little small, but it’s been great. I’ve met a lot of great people, and we’re going to help the community in a huge way.”

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Winter wellness and holiday food drive

The drive is collecting non-perishable items and traditional holiday foods throughout December, with donations going to more than nine food banks across Montreal and Châteauguay.

“It means a lot to me personally,” Berglund said. “I think the main thing that is heavy to me is, I get to bring people along with me. So it’s not just me helping the community.”

He says the initiative creates space for collective action.

“It allows us to help together. We’re going be donating to over nine food banks between Montreal and Châteauguay. as well, and it’s just a way that we can all give back to the community together, and I think that’s powerful.”

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Meeting people where they are

Donations are being collected at grocery stores across the city, including IGA, Maxi, Super C and Costco — locations Berglund personally approached.

“That was one thing I had to tackle about myself,” he said. “I shop here in Montreal at those grocery stores, and essentially what it was was me coming in with a plan, and with an idea, and pitching it to the stores.”

He says the response from store managers and staff made the initiative possible.

“Them believing in me and allowing me to use this space and to try to make a difference. And that’s what I think: if you’re thinking about doing something like this, or helping the community anyway, don’t be afraid — just go reach out, and when it reaches the right people, then it will come to life.”

At live collection tables, Berglund speaks directly with shoppers, hands out information, and encourages involvement through raffles featuring signed Alouettes jerseys, game tickets and gift cards from local businesses.

“I’m just enjoying some great conversations with the community,” he said. “Just connecting and bridging the gap is what I’d like to say.”

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Small contributions, real impact

One donor says the motivation to give is simple.

“It helps out the people in Châteauguay and everything — and every little bit helps,” the donor said. “We don’t have much, but a little bit we can give. We hope it makes a little bit of a difference.”

For Berglund, that sentiment captures the heart of the initiative.

“There’s nothing too small,” he said. “Whether it’s a conversation, whether it’s a donation, or it’s just an interaction — it all means something.”

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Looking ahead

Berglund says the support he’s seen reinforces why the work matters.

“I’m just very appreciative for everyone involved,” he said. “This isn’t just me. This is the community.”

As the food drive continues through December, he hopes the initiative will grow beyond the holidays.

“I really have seen a sense of togetherness,” he said. “And I can’t wait to show everyone involved just how much we’re going to do.”