We are not a ‘collection agency’ We do this for love

Natalie Bercovici

February 2011

As we turned the corner to 2011, January found me glued to my computer screen drumming up receipts for donations and composing thank-you letters (a work in progress).

Now and then I glanced over at the artwork and Christmas cards we received from adults and children who, with loving and generous strokes of the crayon or pen, renewed our commitment to work harder than ever. Most of us shivered through the January frost, however, and I had visions of bright red February valentines, delicious hot chocolate and other goodies to banish the winter doldrums.

Our freezers were stocked with a variety of donations that were still arriving in January. Turkeys and other meats were packed in boxes and delivered to St. Monica Elementary for single-parent families and to a variety of other schools.

St. Raphael, Lakeside Academy and B.U.M.P. were ecstatic to receive pizzas, Christmas logs and cookies. Large boxes, filled to capacity with our freshly purchased items, frozen products, breads, cheese, vegetables and cost-efficient produce were whisked out to the schools daily by our driver and helpers.

Adrian Bercovici (centre), Fred and a school representative sort donations. Photos courtesy of Generations Foundation

Generations Foundation personnel are small in number and space is very much lacking, but our hearts are huge. We are not a “collection agency.” Happy faces and satisfied tummies are the order of the day in lieu of collecting small change from harassed parents. There is no cost to the children or their parents for any food or clothing that they receive from us.

There are more than 6,500 children benefiting from our food programs in 82 schools and learning centres in and around Montreal. Generations Foundation and other donors sponsor milk, eggs and juice, which are delivered by the milk company. Deliveries cover a wide area: from St. Hubert and Chambly to Pierrefonds and Vaudreuil, all over Montreal and to Rosemount and St. Leonard. Lower Canada College’s community initiative has had 40 classes assemble gift bags of Valentine goodies for children and families.

The turnover is exceptional. We can be filled to capacity in the morning and by the next day, our shelves need to be restocked.

Food is a basic necessity of life, but it is much more than that. Children assemble at school breakfast, lunch or a quick snack and they socialize at the same time.

School is a fun place to be! Generations Foundation is also a fun place to be, whether planning fundraising breakfasts held at Buffet La Stanza or St. Viateur Bagel, attending community events, visiting professionals and students at schools, attending graduation and, last but not least, meetings with the board members.

We are excited about some coming events and hope you will join us on May 4 to see Lies my Father Told Me at the Segal and on May 7 for a Generations Foundation Comedy and Dinner Evening at the Pierrefonds Cultural Centre. 514-933-8585