Thank you for making 2018 a remarkable year for Welcome Hall Mission! Donors like you have empowered our dedicated staff to increase our outreach and strengthen our programs to serve more people.

Thanks to your generosity, we succeeded in opening a second, free grocery store, Marché Bon Accueil in the eastern part of Montreal. It took a lot of planning and preparation, but your support made this noteworthy achievement possible. After 127 years of helping Montrealers primarily in the southwest borough and Ville-Marie, we are excited to be expanding our presence to the northeast.

The compassion and support from everyone in our donor family made all of these expansions possible, so thousands more Montrealers have access to nutritious food!

Thank you for sharing our passion and vision of a transformed Montreal, where adequate shelter, food and love for all are more than mere words…they’re a reality.

I am so grateful for each one of you.

Your compassion in action is touching lives and providing access to services that help our fellow citizens in need to break free from the cycles of poverty and hopelessness. Thank you for your continued support to build a stronger Montreal by supporting the city’s most vulnerable citizens.

With appreciation,

Thanks to your generous gifts, thousands of Montrealers experiencing poverty and homelessness have received life-changing support. Your generosity truly transforms lives!

Welcome Hall Mission is dedicated to providing compassionate help to Montrealers who are struggling with poverty and homelessness. Your generous support enables us to be the largest doorway to help for Montrealers in need. Thank you for giving, so Montrealers in need can have a second chance and a brighter future!

Hi, my name is Marie-Lou; and, Marché Bon Accueil is essential in my life. I have a Master’s Degree and for a time, worked as a museum archivist. I can’t impress to you enough how passionately I loved my work.

Due to various factors, including deteriorating health, I had to go on social aid. It was one of the hardest choices I’ve had to make. While I’m educated and intellectually engaged, my medical condition interferes with my ability to care for myself.

Sometimes, I can’t even do everyday things, like wash my dishes.

Living on a small budget, approximately 80% of my income goes towards rent, hydro and heating. There isn’t much money left for other necessities, which is why the Marché makes such a big difference in my quality of life.

The old Marché location made getting groceries especially hard. I had to travel anywhere between three and four hours to get food. It was strenuous due to my health, and I collapsed upon arriving several times. Luckily, the staff would come to my aid.

Why continue coming? Eating is a basic necessity. Yet, my cupboards and fridge won’t magically fill themselves. My small revenue makes it challenging to obtain food, especially items that will cater to my health constraints.

Why not go elsewhere? The amount of items, the friendly staff, and variety make it worthwhile. You’ve probably never had to think about this before, but having the ability to choose your groceries is an expression of your independence. The Marché gives me back my dignity by allowing me to choose what I eat.

As well, the Mission is open year-long. Unfortunately, some other places close part of the year due to lack of supplies. However, my stomach doesn’t go on vacation!

The new Marché Montréal-North is life-changing for me. Now, it takes me less than an hour to get groceries!

I find that the new Marché location will become a beacon of hope not only for me but also for everyone who’s struggling in my community. I’m truly blessed to have the Marché so close. I feel like I’m more than a client, I’m part of the Mission family.

I feel the Mission staff really cares about me; it’s a blessing to have that support. If I didn’t have the Marché, to be honest, I don’t know how I would have survived.

Mrs. Viglione and her husband have been compassionate supporters for many of Welcome Hall Mission’s programs and services. They are also generous supporters of the new Marché. At its grand opening, Mrs. Viglione and her husband took a moment to tell us why giving back to the community matters.

Compassionate donors like YOU and like Mr. and Mrs. Viglione are making an incredible difference for men, women and children who are struggling to survive each and every day in Montreal. Thank you for your outstanding generosity!