With the number of individuals and families relying on food assistance each month rising sharply and Food Banks of Quebec (FBQ) struggling to meet demand, the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) is calling on your generosity to make the holidays a time of sharing and joy for as many Quebecers as possible. That is why, from December 5 to 11, when you visit any of its some 400 stores, the SAQ will encourage you to donate to the fight against food insecurity.

Though many of us make an effort to serve harmonious food and wine pairings to our guests at holiday gatherings, remember that a single dollar donated to the FBQ allows three people to have food on their plates.

Here are the ways to take part:

-    Make a donation at checkout when you visit an SAQ store;
-    Buy an SAQ-branded wrapping product because part of the profit will go directly to the FBQ;
-    Donate online on the Food Banks of Quebec website.

SAQ employees: proud ambassadors of the food assistance cause 
“The holidays should be a time of job for everyone,” said Marie-Hélène Lagacé, Vice-President, Public Affairs, Communications and Social Responsibility, at the SAQ and a member of the board of directors of Food Banks of Quebec. "We hope the involvement of our employees and generosity of our customers will help bring comfort to those living in a precarious situation. It’s important for us all to share the spirit of the holidays together and maybe even create a bit of magic!”

Invaluable aid for the FBQ
“Once again this year, all the warning lights are flashing red across the province,” noted Martin Munger, Executive Director of the FBQ. “Our network now handles 2.9 million requests for food assistance a month. That’s huge! Thanks to the generosity of the SAQ and its customers and employees, many families in need will be able to enjoy a holiday period filled with joy and warmth. Your support makes a real difference in their lives. Thank you so very much.”

Drinking well comes after getting enough to eat
It was in 2011, when the FBQ network first sounded the alarm about the crying lack of resources, that the SAQ became aware of the scale of the needs to be met and decided to make food assistance its main corporate cause. Due to the generosity of its customers and involvement of its employees, nearly $20 million has been raised for the FBQ in the years since, enabling the organization to assist large numbers of families across Quebec. The SAQ organizes several initiatives each year to raise funds, which are redistributed by the FBQ to its 34 regional members that serve more than 1,300 community organizations across Quebec.

About Food Banks of Quebec
The Food Banks of Quebec (FBQ) network is present throughout Quebec with its 32 regional members, many of which operate under the Moisson banner. They provide nutritious foodstuffs to 1,300 community organizations that deliver food assistance to more than 556,000 persons a month. Since 1988, the FBQ has made it possible for resources, expertise and information to be pooled in order to fight food insecurity and alleviate hunger among vulnerable populations.