Corbeille de Pain / Bread Basket Lac-Saint-Louis works to help West Island’s vulnerable population by providing food security and food education to the community.
Food insecurity is defined as the disruption of food intake or eating patterns because of a lack of money and other resources. In 2017-18, 1 in 8 households in Canada was food insecure, amounting to 4.4 million people, including more than 1.2 million children living in food-insecure households. (SOURCE)
Their mission is to offer a variety of activities that promote the accessibility and affordability of healthy foods all while collaborating with groups within the community.
Corbeille de Pain started out by having a community kitchen that allowed people to cook meals together where they would then be able to take a second helping home for another time. This kitchen taught individuals cooking skills as well as provided meals for those experiencing food insecurity.
For a number of years, they have been hosting markets that supported local farmers in Pierrefonds and Pointe-Claire that both hold a "pay what you can" model, to advocate affordable food.
"Our big programs are community gardens, markets, community kitchens."
Lyse Beaudette, Director of Corbeille de Pain
They have announced the dates for this year's Empty Bowls fundraiser, where they have partnered with local potters who donate bowls for the event.
Paired with a simple soup, the bowls are a representation of the empty bowls some people may have to face due to food insecurity.
From April 13th to 27th, you will be able to go online to browse bowls and participate in the event virtually. On April 30th, there will be the opportunity to participate in person.
"We have a relationship with a lot of potters as well, they love doing [this event] too."
The in-person portion of the event will be held at Église Saint-Columbia-by-the-Lake Church located at 11 Rodney in Pointe-Claire.
More information about Courbeille de Pain and its mission can be found on their WEBSITE.
