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Soutien aux initiatives en sécurité alimentaire (SISA) Funding and MPCC collaboration
Soutien aux initiatives en sécurité alimentaire (SISA) Funding and MPCC collaboration
In 2025, MPCC was honoured to receive an important grant offered by CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal. The “Soutien aux initiatives en sécurité alimentaire” (SISA) 2025-2029 is a 4-year grant totalling $300,000. Of that amount, $75,000 is disbursed every year in effort to reduce poverty and social exclusion. As the holder of the grant, MPCC is acting as a fiduciary for six distinct projects around the Milton-Parc neighbourhood, which target food insecurity and host educational workshops. Those projects include weekly meal services, food distribution programs, community gardens, a bulk buying initiative, and more! As these food security initiatives develop, many are seeing their outreach extend beyond the Milton-Parc neighbourhood!
Although MPCC has been an integral part of these projects since our acquisition of the SISA fund, the success of the SISA fund initiatives would not be possible without the networks and communities that work to sustain them everyday. The MPCC is very proud to have been involved in the start-up of these varying projects and hopes to see their long-term success by continuing to offer our support over the next four years.
Solidarity Meal Program & Community Fridge
Solidarity Meal Program & Community Fridge
When: Tuesdays, 12:30-2:30pm
Where: Coop Bar Milton-Parc, 3714 Parc Avenue, QC H2X 2J1
Accessibility: wheelchair accessible, low tables, circulation is a little tight
The Solidarity Meal Program was officially launched in early January 2026. It is an initiative led by the Coop Bar Milton-Parc that offers donation-based lunch every Tuesday. It runs every week from 12:30-2:30pm at 3714 Av. du Parc and is open to everyone from the neighbourhood and beyond!
With the acquisition of the SISA grant, BMP was able to completely renovate its kitchen and finally launch the lunch program in 2025. Now, the initiative responds to BMP’s mandate of improving food security in the neighborhood by serving from 80-120 meals every week and offering meat, vegetarian, and vegan options. As a rapidly growing initiative, the Solidarity Meal Program has also become an important space for community-building that breaks through social isolation. Come to enjoy a heartwarming meal!
BMP is also in charge of managing a community fridge that is refilled every week. The fridge is available to the public during bar hours. It offers a great variety of free nutritious food including both fresh and non-perishable ingredients that are up for grabs for anyone who wants them!
How to get involved?
You can start by signing up for one of the 3 Tuesday shifts on this document and show up 10min before the start of your shift!
The shifts are:
10-1pm: Meal prepping
12-3pm: Meal distribution
2-4:30pm: Clean and close the kitchen
Contact
Email: solidaritymealprogram@bmp.coop
Instagram: @coopbmp
Facebook: @BMP Co-op
MPCC Community Gardens
MPCC Community Gardens
When: Saturdays, 1-3pm (from late April to November)
Where: Close to 3565 Hutchison St.
The MPCC’s community gardens are volunteer-driven projects where anyone can get involved! The gardens’ produce is enjoyed by volunteers and the community alike. Come by every Saturday from 1-3 pm to learn how to garden, attend educational workshops, meet new people, and come home with fresh produce!
Previously hosted at the Toit Vert Solidaire, our community garden has relocated to Hutchison St. as a collaboration with Oxford Apartments. This has allowed us to greatly increase our harvests and expand our network all around our neighbourhood. Between 2024 and 2025, we shared over 100 pounds of harvest, hosted over 12 workshops, and recruited over 60 volunteers in the garden space, a rapidly growing community!
We hope to see you there!
How to get involved?
Just show up! :)
Contact:
Instagram: @jardinscollectifsmiltonparc
Facebook: @Les Jardins Collectifs CCMP
Milton- Parc Food Bank
Milton- Parc Food Bank
When: Fridays, 6:00pm- 7:00pm
Where: St. John's Lutheran Church basement, 3594 Rue Jeanne-Mance
Accessibility: Entrance 1 from Jeanne-Mance: 2 staircases and no ramp. Entrance 2 from Prince-Arthur West: one step to get into the building
*Bring your own container!*
The Milton-Parc Food Bank operates weekly on Fridays, feeding community members with free hot take-out dinners cooked on-site, and food baskets of vegetables, fruits, and non-perishable goods. Its mission is to make nutritious food available to all members of the Milton-Parc community! At the beginning of the COVID pandemic, it joined forces with St. John’s Lutheran Church food bank, which has been battling food insecurity in the Milton-Parc community for over 30 years. The Food Bank also receives donations from Moisson Montréal and La Corbeille. The initiative is entirely volunteer run and coordinated, providing over 100 meals per week with vegetarian options available. The services of the food bank are open to all members of the public. For those interested in attending, it is asked that community members bring their own containers as the food bank does not provide them.
The food bank also offers a limited number of on-foot deliveries for individuals with reduced mobility in the Milton-Parc neighbourhood. If you need delivery services you may contact mpfoodbank@gmail.com and they will do their best to accommodate you.
Additionally, Milton-Parc food bank hosts a number of fundraising events throughout the year, including brunches, spaghetti dinners and music shows! Be sure to check out their socials to stay updated on what’s to come!
How to get involved
To get involved as a volunteer fill out the form linked here.
Contact
Website: https://www.miltonparc-foodhub.org/food-assistance
Instagram: @miltonparc_foodbank
Facebook: @Facebook
Email: mpfoodbank@gmail.com
Bulk Buying
Bulk Buying
When: Monthly, coordinated between members
Where: MPCC, 3516 Av. du Parc & Coop Bar Milton-Parc, 3714 Av. du Parc
Accessibility: Both buildings are wheelchair accessible, no deliveries
Bulk Up! aims to enable access to organic, fair trade, and local products as well as non-processed simple foods while reducing expenses and ecological waste! The collective purchases everyday products in bulk directly from suppliers, bypassing supermarkets, and splits the cost between members allowing for more affordable grocery bills. The initiative operates out of the Milton-Parc neighbourhood, but is open to anyone who wants to join!
How to get involved
There is an annual membership fee of $15, and members of Bulk Up! are required to meet twice a month: once at the MPCC building to create a collective grocery list, and once at Bar Milton-Parc to distribute orders.
If you are interested in joining the Bulk Up! as a member, fill out the form here!
If you are interested in volunteering as an organizer and coordinator, email bulkbuying.collective@gmail.com.
Contact
Email :bulkbuying.collective@gmail.com.
Samedis Solidaires
Samedis Solidaires
When: Saturdays, 11:00 am-1:00pm
Where: Milton-Parc neighbourhood
Samedis Solidaires is a volunteer-led initiative, working to distribute hot meals to communities battling homelessness in the Milton-Parc area. Every Saturday, volunteers cook 40 fresh meals which are then distributed in the streets along with other necessities such as hygiene supplies and warm clothes. Whenever possible special items are added such as gift cards for Christmas or chocolates for Easter.
Moreover, Samedis Solidaires' work is invaluable in constructing and maintaining mutual aid networks. Weekly meal distributions allow volunteers to check in on their fellow community members, inquire about their health and well being, creating and upholding consistent networks of care.
How to get Involved
To become a volunteer or to make a donation, email alannadow@yahoo.ca
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