On Rock Community Services
Join us in fighting hunger now.
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This weekly outreach ensures that hundreds of families have access to essential food items, helping to alleviate immediate hunger and contribute to long-term food security.
Your contributions help us maintain our facilities, acquire necessary storage, and ensure that nutritious food reaches those who need it most.
Your support ensures that no child has to face school without a proper meal, fostering both their educational growth and overall well-being.
Our Mission
On Rock Community Services is a community organization committed to making a difference in the West Island of Montreal by being a resource for people in the community. Our focus and mission is to help with those in our community who are struggling with food insecurity. Every program we have supports this underlying mission in some way, and is accomplished through our full-time staff and volunteers. This takes various forms, including a food bank, a school lunch program, a thrift store, and a restaurant.
Services
Food Bank
Historically, the West Island of Montreal was known as a predominately upper middle class area. Over the years it has changed significantly in terms of its socio-economic make-up. There now exists a group that could be referred to as the “invisible poor” or those who experience food insecurity. These people live among us and go unnoticed, for the most part, because we do not expect to see them. However, if one paid closer attention it would become quite evident that some of our neighbors need our help. With the help of our partners and our donors we are able to provide a steady supply of nutritious food for our clients.
Resto Le Spot
Le Spot is the second initiative we began during the pandemic. The goal was two-fold, to start a café/resto that would generate funds as well as provide affordable meals to our community. To that end, Le Spot is based on a “Pay what you can” model. We also offer an opportunity to “Spot it forward”, where customers can pay it forward to others in need. Le Spot has a funky motorcycle décor that sets it apart from other establishments.
School Lunch Program
A few years ago, we heard a story about a child going to a local elementary school with a mustard and onion sandwich, because that was all his mother had in the house. We contacted the school, and this is how our lunch program began. At the beginning of every school year, we contact the elementary schools in our community to assess the need for lunches. Studies show that children who eat healthy meals are better able to focus in class. Obviously, this increases their chances of academic success. We are committed to providing healthy lunches, and snacks for kids who can’t afford to bring a lunch to school.
Friperie Thrift it
Thriftit is a project we took on during the pandemic as a way, not only to generate funds, but to also provide a sustainable and affordable way to shop in our community. With the popularity of thrifting on the rise, paired with a trendy boutique feel, we have created something truly unique in the West Island. Kayla Reid, who manages Thrifit, has done an incredible job of designing a beautiful and welcoming thrift store. If you haven’t experienced Thriftit, you are truly missing out.
Testimonials
My name is Marla and I am a single mother of a Downs Syndrome (T-21) child. On Rock Food Bank has been there to help me and my family. Allow me to quickly explain. Taking care of a special needs child is not easy and without help and not working a full time or part time job steadily because of the responsibilities that comes with taking care of a special needs child, it is sometimes difficult to make ends meet but On Rock allows me to be able give my child healthy lunches to take to school and provide healthy meals for my family. Thank you On Rock for your help and services.
-Marla-
I hurt myself at work early in 2020 and was on worker’s compensation. During this time, I also had to take care of my 83-year-old father who has diabetes and my 18-year-old son who was not in school. With very little income, On Rock has always been very nice and helpful, plus literally saved my life! Everything that we receive helps to feed my family and I am super appreciative of everything they do for us. I also want to come volunteer at On Rock to show how much I appreciate them and what they do!
-Oscar-
On Rock is an incredibly devoted group of extremely kind people that generously provide my family, weekly, with an excellent amount of nutritional food and basic necessities of everyday life. The polite staff are always courteous, kind, caring and patient and never complain as they work tirelessly to help the less fortunate such as my family. Without the huge hearts of On Rock, we literally would not survive! They are hero’s to us and to so many other less fortunate people. Thank you so much.
-Catherine K-
Alors en Mars est arrivé la Pandémie et comme je suis dans le domaine de l’hôtellerie j’ai du retourner a la maison depuis,je n”avait jamais eue a utilisé un service d’aide alimentaire,pour moi c “est d’une grande aide pour nourrir mes beaux jumeaux autiste de 14 ans,aussi cela me permets de briser l’isolement et vous me donner de l espoir!je suis toujours super bien accueilli par vos bénévoles qui prennent même soin de nourrir mes chats qui sont d’une très grande importance dans la vie de mes garçons qui ont besoin du a leur autisme,je croit que le fait de recevoir cette aide présentement éloigne la dépression,alors moi et mes garçons vous remercie de tout l attention et les dons alimentaire que vous nous donnez, Joyeuses Fêtes a tous les gens de votre organisme qui donnent de leur temps pour les gens comme moi.
-Nancy-