A vital food assistance service point run by the Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Quebec City (SSVPQ) is in a critical situation. The organization, which serves about 100 households in the western part of the Saint-Sauveur neighbourhood (La Cité-Limoilou borough), must relocate by the end of December .

The shop, currently located in the basement of the Sainte-Angèle-de-Saint-Malo church, risks having to suspend its activities if a relocation solution is not found within this extremely tight timeframe.

🗓️ A forced and unwelcome departure

The need to vacate the premises stems from a decision by the Sainte-Marie-de-l'Incarnation parish, which notified the SSVPQ at the end of October. The church plans to close its doors during the winter to reduce its heating costs, resulting in the closure of the space occupied by the counter.

This forced relocation comes at the worst possible time of year. Food banks are particularly busy during the winter months, and the SSVPQ is currently focused on preparing Christmas baskets for its clients.

"Here we are caught between providing services to our users for the holiday season, and then looking for a space. [...] It's a cry for help to have a space that is within our means," Lucie Couture of the SSVPQ told TVA Nouvelles.

💸 The race against time for a new roof

Despite the establishment of a relocation committee, the organization has still not found a new location. The main challenge is financial. Currently, the SSVPQ only pays for electricity in the church basement, a cost that will be nearly impossible to maintain elsewhere.

To ensure the continuity of its services, the SSVPQ is launching a two-pronged appeal:

1. A call to the community to identify and propose a new, affordable space that meets its needs in the area.
2. A request for an extension has been made to the Sainte-Marie-de-l'Incarnation parish, hoping to be able to stay on site until January or February in order to gain time to find a lasting solution.