Visit to Comptoir Le Grenier, Lévis (Quebec)

Comptoir Le Grenier, in Lévis (Quebec), is a non-profit organization that provides, with respect and dignity, food to people experiencing hardships. The Governor General was welcomed by Ms. Liliane Néron, Administrative Assistant, and Mr. Yvon Gosselin, Chair of the Board.

Ms. Néron and Mr. Gosselin provided Her Excellency with a tour of the market to Her Excellency. Each week, more than 3,000 people frequent the community market and the soup kitchen.

Comptoir Le Grenier began offering food services to low-income families in the spring of 1991. Previously, the service consisted of getting food from Moisson-Québec and distributing it to a few families. In September 1993, the first people referred by the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul were welcomed at 243 Saint-Joseph street, where they were offered a complete basket of food. In July 1996, Le Grenier moved to a larger space located at 235 Saint-Joseph Street, in Lévis (its current location).

Thanks to the help of a number of volunteers like Ms. Colombe Pelletier, from the Soeurs de l’Enfant-Jésus congregation, the Comptoir Le Grenier distributes roughly 250 meals a day. Le Grenier helps elderly people; workers with low-income; physically, mentally or intellectually handicapped people; single-parent families; unemployed people; students and homeless people.

During her visit, Her Excellency was able to speak with members of the administration, volunteers, as well as beneficiaries that utilize the services. The numerous words and smiles that were exchanged were warm. Even a few media were there for the occasion.

In addition to meeting with many community members, this visit allowed the Governor General to familiarize herself with the main goals of the organism: get food at the best possible price; end marginalization; have access to a place organized for food pick-up and distribution; allow the 60 associated organizations to respond the needs of their clienteles regarding food; to salvage food that might be spoiled otherwise; diversify services to people with low-income; and to allow volunteers who want to help others to do so in a favorable and organized environment.