As we step into a new year, I’m reminded of something I see every day at Welcome Hall Mission: hope has a way of showing up, even in the coldest months. Sometimes it looks like a hot meal that makes someone feel cared for. Sometimes it’s groceries for the week, a safe place to sleep, or a steady hand to help sort out the next steps.

This winter, we’re meeting more neighbours who are carrying heavier burdens. Rising costs, health challenges, and housing difficulties represent a lot for anyone to face alone. But because of good people like you, any Montrealer can walk through our doors and find real help right away.

It is your kindness that opens more doors for people who need a safe place. Your generosity makes room for people to feel supported instead of alone.

Thank you for standing with our community. I’m grateful for everything you make possible, and I’m hopeful for the year ahead because of people like you.

Warm wishes for a safe and meaningful new year,

When Lorenda retired after decades as a nurse clinician, she knew she still had a lot of care left to give. Helping people had been at the heart of her work for so long, and she wasn’t ready to let that go. When a family member mentioned volunteering, Welcome Hall Mission immediately felt like the right place to continue that calling.
Today, Lorenda is a familiar and cherished face on our volunteer team. Some days, she’s preparing and serving warm meals at the Macaulay Emergency Shelter. Other days, she’s helping families choose groceries at the Marché. The settings are different, but the kindness she brings is always the same.

After years in a fast-paced health care environment, Lorenda now finds a different kind of rhythm at the Mission, one filled with calm, connection, and small meaningful moments. When she walks into Welcome Hall Mission, she feels relaxed and loves the social contact and friendships with other volunteers.

The feeling is mutual. At Macaulay, staff greet her with warm hugs and always ask when they will see her again. “I love them, and they love me,” she adds with a smile. And every “thank you” from someone receiving a meal reminds her that her presence truly matters.

In her nursing career, Lorenda often heard the words “We needed you.” Today she still hears that same sentiment, whether she is chopping carrots, serving a plate of food, or helping a fellow volunteer.

For anyone thinking about volunteering, her advice is simple:
“Give! I love every minute of it.”

For many families in Montreal, the Marché Bon Accueil program provides steady support across its two locations. People come for fresh food, friendly faces, and a sense of stability when life feels uncertain.

Last year, the two free grocery stores welcomed more than 92,000 visits. Behind each one was a neighbour who didn’t have to worry about feeding their family that week.

Families like Yonatan’s know this support well. After arriving from Venezuela, the Marché program became a lifeline that helped them stay steady while adjusting to life in Canada. Yonatan is especially grateful for the kindness he finds at his local store. Being able to choose the fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, and staples his family needs helps him feel respected and supported.

Because families trust us, both Marché locations have become welcoming community hubs where neighbours connect, build relationships, and feel part of a caring network.

The Marché program also plays a meaningful role during the holidays. It is often the place where staff and volunteers first learn which families may need some extra support, especially those with young children. Through warm conversations and familiar faces, families discover programs that can help them feel more steady during the winter months.

For Yonatan’s daughter Lucia, the Noël pour tous toy giveaway was magical. Her excitement filled the room as she talked about the gift she received, and her joy reflected what so many other children felt that day. These moments remind families that even in difficult seasons, they matter and they are seen.

Thank you to everyone whose generosity keeps the Marché Bon Accueil strong. Your support helps families bring home fresh food, stay steady through the harshest months of the year, and feel connected to a community that cares.

For 21 years, the Montreal Alouettes have brought more than talent to the field. They have brought team spirit to Welcome Hall Mission. This Thanksgiving, players traded jerseys for aprons and served a warm, seated meal to everyone who walked through our cafeteria doors.

Guests were welcomed to their tables and served as they would be in any restaurant. Laughter, energy, and connection filled the room.

Each place setting had a handwritten message from a donor, a simple note letting someone know they were seen and cared for. It was a small gesture that meant so much to our guests. 

For the Alouettes, this annual tradition is a way to give back. For our guests, it is a reminder that they are not alone and that here at Welcome Hall Mission, we are all on the same team.

Thanks to the generosity of donors and the hard work of volunteers, this year’s Noël pour tous brought joy to children and families across Montreal. Over two days, on November 29 and 30, volunteers gathered to sort toys, greet families, and help make the holiday season brighter for everyone.

Many of the families connected to the Marché Bon Accueil learned about the Toy Giveawayduring their regular visits. With the support of our volunteers and staff, parents were able to choose gifts that felt right for their children. For many, the event brought a sense of relief and a chance to enjoy a brighter holiday season.

Families were welcomed by four Santas, including former Sud-Ouest Mayor Benoit Dorais, City Councillors Benoit Langevin and Sterling Downey, and Montreal Alouette Geoffrey Cantin Arku. Their presence helped create a festive atmosphere for families attending from programs like the Marché Bon Accueil and Cœur à Sœur. Children also enjoyed creative activities, including designing Santa’s new sleigh-plane.

This year’s Christmas Toy Giveaway was proudly sponsored by the Air Canada Foundation, whose support helped create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for families across the city. A special thank you also goes to Home Depot Saint-Henri for donating eight beautifully decorated trees that brightened the space for all who attended.

The atmosphere was filled with excitement, gratitude, and kindness. Children left with big smiles and gifts they were excited to open, and parents shared heartfelt thanks. It was a meaningful reminder of what community can look like during the winter months.

Your kindness helped carry that joy forward, lifting the holiday season for families across our city.