A Message from Our CEO & Executive Director

As you may know, this year Welcome Hall Mission has been celebrating its 125th year in service of Montreal’s most vulnerable. Our mandate is to bring dignity, hope and transformation to those who need it most, and thanks to our generous donors, this year I feel we have lived up to this legacy.

Our new Marché Bon Accueil is in full swing, serving thousands of customers each week. It warms my heart to see how this innovative concept has improved the experience of our clients, and it’s all thanks to donors like you!

Thanks to your gifts, this summer over 250 children whose parents wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it were able to attend a life-changing week at summer camp!

And finally, thank you to everyone who participated in our Back‑to‑School Matching Campaign, especially the Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation. We were completely overwhelmed by the response! Thanks to your gifts, more than 2,800 children received backpacks filled with school supplies to start the year off right.

Now, as we look forward to a busy holiday season, we are preparing to distribute toys to thousands of children, provide Christmas groceries to thousands of families, and welcome thousands of Montrealers in from the cold. With your help, we can make it a season of hope and joy.

Sincerely,

Samuel Watts

CEO/Executive Director

For decades, Welcome Hall Mission has been providing food and household items to vulnerable Montrealers. This year, in keeping with our mission to bring transformation to Montreal, we decided to reimagine how we offer food assistance.

Rather than sticking to the food bank model where customers line up to receive food, we renovated our 1,400 sq ft warehouse with grocery store equipment, signage and process changes to create the feel of any modern grocery store.

“In the past, clients have felt confined and insecure in a line-up and guilty for refusing items they didn’t want. They now have the freedom to choose what healthy foods they want for their families.” ‑ Martha

The new Marché Bon Accueil affirms our clients’ autonomy and dignity by offering them selection, choice and the ability to shop like everyone else. “Imagine the relief you feel when you can shop like you would at any other grocery store,” says Martha, one of our former clients turned volunteer.

We have already seen what an incredible difference this new market is making. “In the past, clients have felt confined and insecure in a line-up and guilty for refusing items they didn’t want. They now have the freedom to choose what healthy foods they want for their families,” says Martha.

Our clients can now enjoy a positive and welcoming environment, and shop like anyone else. Please give today to support a dignified shopping experience for all our clients.

Quick Facts

Over 2,200 people benefit from food from the Marché every week
“Marché Bon Accueil is the largest free direct-to-public food assistance program in Montreal”
Four checkout counters are able to serve 25 people every 30 minutes

Welcome Hall Mission’s life-changing programs and services are only possible thanks to our incredibly generous donors and volunteers.

We love hearing what first led our supporters like Lev and Janine to the Mission:


Lev Jampolsky met a woman on the metro who was carrying a bag with the Welcome Hall Mission logo on it. She told Lev how she received food at the Mission when times were tough, and suggested that he might like to volunteer there. He had never volunteered before, but on a whim decided to take her advice, and has been loving it ever since!

Janine Hannough was inspired to give after reading an article in our June newsletter about a donor who found $100 on the ground and donated it to support vulnerable Montrealers. Janine herself had recently received an unexpected gift and decided to pay it forward to the Mission.


If you are interested in becoming part of our Shelter.Food.Love. Monthly Donor Program please contact us at 514-523-5288 or email dons@missionba.com

Thank you for helping provide a year of hope and transformation at Welcome Hall Mission! We have been so moved by the incredible generosity of our donors and supporters. Last year, 244,681 meals were served, 855,007 kilograms of groceries were provided to individuals and families in need, and 81,167 nights of safe shelter were offered.

The Christmas season always begins with our annual Christmas toy give-away, Noël pour tous. This year, at our Marché Bon Accueil, we will also transform the handout of Christmas baskets into a holiday shopping experience bar none!

All this is made possible because of you!