Almost $15,000 worth of products and food were stolen from the Grande Guignolée des media de la Rive-Sud warehouse in Saint-Lambert, near Montreal.
When we arrived we saw that we were missing boxes, there were things that were torn, some things that had been knocked over. “We saw that we were being destroyed and robbed,” explains the president and founder of the Grande Guignolée des media de la Rive-Sud, Jean-Marie Girard.
The incident occurred on the night of December 27th to 28th. Mr Girard claims to have seen footprints on the floor when he arrived the next day, indicating that several people had been involved in the theft. According to him, vandals broke a window to gain entry to the warehouse.
Around fifty boxes of food for needy families were partially or completely emptied. This included products of all kinds, including food, personal care products, baby products and children's toys.
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The South Shore Media Grande Guignolée has almost 400 boxes of food in its warehouse in Saint-Lambert.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Charlotte Dumoulin
According to Mr. Girard, the distribution of donations to organizations in the region will continue as planned. However, the quantities need to be adjusted.
We will give what we have, he assures us.
His organization distributes food to more than 20 organizations on Montreal's South Shore. One of these is the organization Action Dignité Saint-Hubert. Denyse Harvey Bédard is responsible for this association's Entraide Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys program. She regrets that the theft is impacting families who rely on donations.
It is unfortunate that people use what they are collected for […] less wealthy people. “Really, our families need it,” she said.
She assures that her organization is helping hundreds of families in the Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys sector in Saint-Hubert during this year's holiday season.
It is our population that really needs it and will suffer.
Not the first flight
Jean-Marie Girard experienced another similar theft three years ago. At that time, the target of the attack was the old warehouse where his organization was located in the Greenfield Park area.
I don't know the industry. “It is a new sector for us, it is the first time we are in a warehouse here in Saint-Lambert,” says Mr Girard.
He explains that because the premises are rented, he has no control over the protection systems such as surveillance cameras.
The mayor of Longueuil, Catherine Fournier, has launched a call for donations on social networks. She emphasizes that the population was generous to the organization during the previous flight in December 2020. She encourages the residents of Longueuil to do so again this time.
However, as a community, we can make a difference, just as we did three years ago, she writes.
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Encourage monetary donations
Mr Girard stressed that in this context it is important to continue making monetary donations, as these will not be affected in the event of theft. He encourages those who wish to visit the organization's website.
The 23rd Media Food event is taking place across Quebec. Donations have been collected since the end of November and it is still possible to donate food or monetary amounts to the various participating organizations in the province.
Jean-Marie Girard founded South Shore media Grande Guignolée more than 20 years ago.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Charlotte Dumoulin
On December 7, volunteers collected donations on the streets across Quebec. As for the South Shore media Grande Guignolée, Mr. Girard assures that his organization raised almost $171,000 on December 7 alone.
He emphasizes that these donations are more important than ever given the rising cost of living.
“We're a little overwhelmed that we don't have much left for $10,” he laments.
The 23rd Media Food campaign lasts until December 31st.
With information from Charlotte Dumoulin