La Guignolée underway at the Ayer’s Cliff Marché
The Marchés Tradition in Ayer’s Cliff, owned by Guy Patry and his wife Daniele Boivin, is one of the many IGA outlets participating in the grocery chain’s annual Christmas food drive.
Between Nov.8 and Dec. 31, pre-filled bags of non-perishables are available for purchase at the store for $10.
Each IGA chooses its own local organization to support for the annual food drive.
Marché Guy Patry in Ayer’s Cliff collects the bags for the United Church’s Christmas baskets, which are distributed during the holiday season for local families in need.
Now in its third year, Patry explained that the campaign started quietly, but has been growing steadily.
“I would say between 150-200 bags were sold,” Patry said, referring to previous years.
“This year I ordered 250, and I’ll sell 250,” he said.
While crediting the citizens of Ayer’s Cliff for their generosity, Patry added that the campaign has been a success across the province since it started.
“Sobey’s (which owns IGA) sold out last year a week before the end of the campaign,” Patry said.
The bags are filled with food items based on a list of suggestions from the Quebec Food Bank organization and can include things like pasta, rice, flour, granola bars, canned vegetables, baby food, and soup, among other things.
At the end of the campaign, Patry said a representative from the Ayer’s Cliff United Church will pick up the bags, which will be added to Christmas baskets being delivered to families in the area.
In addition to La Guignolée, Patry and his wife sponsor other local initiatives throughout the year, including a Turkey dinner with all the trimmings for the students of Ayer’s Cliff Elementary School just before Christmas break. Pointing out that a lot of families struggle to put food on the table, Patry said he provides the food to ensure local children can enjoy a special holiday meal together.