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Members of the Villeray/St-Michel/Park Extension borough council have voted unanimously to launch a food bank using funds raised from fees earned when the mayor or a borough official perform marriage rites — although one councillor questioned the decision before finally agreeing to go along.
During the borough council's March 10 meeting, Councillor Frank Venneri, who represents François-Perrault district in St-Michel, showed some reluctance to support the food security program initiated by Mayor Anie Samson, although he finally agreed after Samson explained some details of the plan to Venneri's satisfaction.
More than $23,000 in fees
As part of the provincial government's municipal reform measures implemented over the last four years, certain elected officials and civil servants became empowered by Quebec to perform civil marriages. Since then, Samson has presided at more than 95 wedding ceremonies. Each generated an average $300 in fees for the borough. In all, the borough has made $23,275 from the arrangement.
Money from the food bank fund is to be distributed among non-profit groups dealing specifically with the issue of food security, to help soften the blow of rising food costs for families and individuals. The move is seen as particularly appropriate now, given the downturn in the economy and the impact it is having on people's lives. Samson said the goal is to get the fund up to at least $40,000. Among other things, Venneri had objected that the number of groups that will be receiving money wasn't fully articulated in council's resolution establishing the fund.
Samson unapologetic
"I would have wished that there had been more explanations in the document," he said. Samson was unapologetic about the food bank fund, which she said has become more necessary than ever. "I am very proud to see this project finally becoming a reality," she said. "When I accepted to become an officiator for marriages, I had promised that the money collected would be redistributed into the community, and more particularly for the purpose of coming to the assistance of families.
"The creation of this fund is all the more justifiable taking into account the current economic crisis which has caused a slowdown of the economy and an increase in the cost of basic food staples of up to 60 per cent. This situation directly affects my constituents, and I am convinced that with small gestures like this we can change the lives of people."
Food security reaches crisis
According to Samson, food security in the borough and across the province is nearing a crisis point. She noted that in 2008, public demand on some food banks soared as much as 50 per cent. Meanwhile, more than 46 per cent of food bank users are families. "We are seeing more and more that it's not only at Christmas that people are feeling hungry, but 365 days a year, and for me it's important to know the difference," Samson said.
"At each marriage, which is taking four hours of my time, it's four hours of volunteer time we're giving on Saturdays or on weeknights. The idea is that maybe we're giving four hours of our time, but it will also be helping a lot of families to eat. It was always with that goal in mind that these marriages have been celebrated … We figured it was about time that the money raised was placed in a particular fund.
'The money's there' – Samson
"This fund will be distributed as soon as there is a project, and that project, to set you at ease Mr. Venneri, will have to be voted on by the borough council," added Samson. "So this money is just put aside as a way of knowing that it is there, and the projects that will come from it will concern food security. That is why we can't put the number of organizations, because we haven't received the projects yet. Each project will take place in conjunction with a specialist in food security, and the objective of this project will be to make available food at an economical price."