Buffet des Continents food drive offers free lunch in exchange for five non-perishable items

The Buffet des Continents annual Christmas non-perishable food drive for those in need during the holiday season will take place Monday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

For the first time in the event’s 13year history, the food drive will happen during lunch instead of dinner.

"This food drive is an important gesture of solidarity within the community,” says restaurant owner Tony Commatas. “The holiday season is a time of celebration and sharing that we hope is happy and festive for all.”

During the food drive, the restaurant offers a meal to patrons in exchange for donations of five or more non-perishables.

“For 13 years, more than 77,000 people have eaten with us for free and their donations have amounted to more than 384,000 pounds of food. It's huge and, at the same time, the need for help is still there,” Commatas said.

“Every year, this drive collects nonperishable foodstuffs, which are donated to the Rock-guertin Foundation. While the holiday season is special for all of us, it is especially difficult for those in need. By paying forward together, we can help make this a happier time for thousands of people," he adds.

To encourage more donations, the Buffet asks participants to limit the duration of their meal and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

According to Statistics Canada, 1.1 million people in Quebec live in a condition of food insecurity. Of these, half have run out of food in the past year. In Quebec, one in ten children is likely to go hungry. Of these, 40,000 are toddlers under the age of five.