Sharing is always in vogue at the Centre de bénévolat de Laval

The organization, which provides a food bank year-round and extensive services to the community in many other ways, once more delivered on its commitment to the less fortunate of the city by contributing to the well-being of 1,600 Laval families with food and toys.

"The people of the city were so very generous that we ended up collecting 40% more food than last year," explained Kathleen Gagnon, director-general of the Centre.

The non-perishables that were not needed for Christmas baskets will be used to re-stock the year-round food bank operated by the Centre.

"It looks like we have enough stock to see us through to the month of March," Mrs. Gagnon added.

The food gathering campaign, which was launched with a an appeal to the community-at-large on November 6, culminated this past Sunday with deliveries to the 1,600 families in need. The snowstorm did little to reduce the resolve of volunteers who took to the roads to make the deliveries.

"We had 400 volunteers at our disposal, and everything went like clockwork. By 2:00 pm, all the deliveries had been made, putting a successful end to the 2008 campaign," Mrs. Gagnon concluded.