Buoyed by the success of the 1st edition of the Paniers du Partage operation, the initiative is back again this year, with the aim of offering a tasty holiday meal to even more families in Vaudreuil-Soulanges. Interview with Wilson Ramcharan of the Groupe ImmoSolutions real estate team with the Kellier Williams Prestige real estate banner, who demystifies this social initiative.

In concrete terms, the project's mission is to help 150 families in the greater West Island region of Montreal by providing them with a basket filled with everything they need to prepare a holiday meal. Each basket has a value of approximately $60. 

“A sharing basket is filled by community members with everything needed to prepare a holiday meal. Each basket will contain a set menu, a list of which is provided to participants. Why not get together with colleagues, family and friends to fill the list for a basket or 2? The basket event will take place on Tuesday, December 3, at the Souffle de vie vineyard in Senneville. Last year's event was very touching, and it promises to be again this year,” says the project's instigator and main sponsor. 

During the evening, the project's sponsors will provide food and beverages to those who drop off their baskets.  As an example, a basket should contain the following non-perishable items:  

- stuffing tin; 

 - tins for mashed potatoes, or bags for potato gratin; 

- cans of green beans; 

- canned peas and carrots; 

- can or bag of turkey gravy; 

- cranberry preserves; 

- can of Habitant Minestrone soup or other; 

- 2 beverages - 1L Oasis juice, sparkling water or soft drink; 

- Box of cake or brownies (plus icing if not included); 

- box of Jello; 

- extras (according to participants' wishes): powdered milk, oil, powdered eggs, detergents, hygiene products, games, stockings, gift certificates (gasoline, pharmacy), tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, tablecloth or napkins. 

A $25 grocery store gift card will also be slipped into each basket. 

Solidarity for the project

The idea was born within Mr. Ramcharan's team after he became aware of similar initiatives launched by brokers in the United States. There, some of these events have taken on extraordinary proportions over the years. 

“In recent years, we've seen that COVID-19 has brought its share of additional hardship for many families in our community, and we wanted to do our part to help. So we were inspired by what's being done over there to help families here. That's how the “Paniers du Partage” project came about,” he explains. 

Last year, Groupe ImmoSolutions wanted to collect the baskets made by people. However, faced with the extent of the desire to participate, the company quickly came up with a plan B. While the initial goal was to collect 100 baskets, in the end over 120 were donated to seven selected organizations.

This year, companies or individuals who wish to participate, but don't have the time to make a basket themselves, can opt for another solution. They can make an Interac transfer to the organizers, who will then make a basket on their behalf. Interested parties must send their monetary donation before November 24, to give the organizers time to purchase and assemble the baskets.After this date, the money will be given directly to the organizations.

The deadline for expressing interest in donating one or more baskets is November 29.Interestingly, three of the seven organizations chosen by the project's instigators to receive the baskets are located in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region. They are La Passerelle, a women's shelter, L'Aiguillage, a homeless shelter, and Edgewater Elementary School in Pincourt. Following the evening's event, the recipient organizations will redistribute the baskets to their members, spreading cheer as the holiday season approaches.

“We wanted to give back to local families because some of our team members live in Vaudreuil-Soulanges. So it was a no-brainer for us when it came to choosing which organizations would benefit.” 

Still time to help

If you'd like to get your hands dirty and help make the baskets, please fill in the appropriate section of the entry form. It can be accessed at the following link: https://forms.gle/9YmNG33yZDPEHT6v6.