Café de la Débrouille, a food bank that helps the residents of Pointe-Fortune, Rigaud and Très-Saint-Rédempteur, has found a simple way to finance its day-to-day operations. It began collecting glass bottles and cans, an initiative that quickly gained momentum.

Richard Lefebvre has had this idea in mind ever since he took over as general manager of the organization eight years ago. He shared it with the Board of Directors four years ago. "I told them why not collect glass bottles and cans to finance our monthly fixed costs, and that way we could keep the grants and financial aid we receive to fund our projects. When I took over, the organization had a $26,000 deficit. Today, we end the financial year with a surplus. At first, I thought we could raise $300 a month with this initiative. In the end, we raised $1,000 the first month we decided to do it," he says.

Since then, the Café de la Débrouille has raised up to $40,000 a year with this collection. People come from as far away as Sutton to drop off their empty glass containers or soft-drink cans. Each month, between 7,000 and 9,000 glass bottles are sorted by the organization's volunteers, then placed in boxes before being trucked to the drop-off site in Cornwall, Ontario. Up to 200,000 cans are collected each year. Between 60 and 70 bags a week are delivered to the organization by individuals and restaurants.

With the money collected, the Café de la Débrouille can, in addition to paying its fixed costs, offer good meals to its beneficiaries. Did you know that four empty wine bottles can be transformed into a meal? 

Over 1,000 families helped each year

Located on rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Rigaud, Café de la Débrouille is a food bank accredited by Moisson Sud-Ouest to serve the City of Rigaud and the municipalities of Pointe-Fortune and Très-Saint-Rédempteur. Each month, the food counter helps thousands of families.

"It varies from month to month, but we can help between 1,400 and 1,700 families a year. Annually, we provide our beneficiaries with $650,000 worth of foodstuffs. Families who come here to collect items must meet very specific criteria, in addition to providing supporting documents such as proof of residence and income," he adds.

People faced with everyday problems, such as job loss or a health problem rendering them unable to work or cook, can receive up to two food packages from the organization.

"We understand that unexpected things can happen in life. We'll ask a few questions to make sure they're living in our area and that they meet our criteria, and then we'll be able to help them out," he explains.

At Café de la Débrouille, you'll find non-perishable foodstuffs, as well as frozen and refrigerated items, most of which come from the Moisson Sud-Ouest food bank, but also from donations from the general public.

"We accept donations of unopened non-perishable foodstuffs, as well as monetary donations. If people wish to donate foodstuffs, it's best to call us beforehand to find out what we need. Some people give us opened foodstuffs, and unfortunately we have to throw them in the garbage can," he recommends.

Unlike other organizations, Café de la Débrouille has a fine network of volunteers. "We're well organized. We have teams that take care of cleaning, food repairs, sorting bottles and cans, and portioning food. Some even cook with the food they receive. We also welcome people who are in need of social reintegration or community service. The lack of volunteers doesn't affect us at all here; in fact, the opposite is true. I have too many, and sometimes I have to work around the schedule," he confides.

Café de la Débrouille is located at 19 rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Rigaud. The team can be reached at (450) 206-1008, Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.