When Le Café opened at the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors in March in response to the impact of the economic crisis on the Jewish community, it was expected that between 100 and 150 meals would be served to those in need every week. However, it was quickly evident that the needs were even greater than anticipated: close to 500 meals are being served, on average, every week. Le Café is serving seniors, families with young children and high-school students.

Le Café offers free, hot, nutritious, kosher meals in a dignified atmosphere. It is staffed by volunteers who welcome diners, many of whom eat there regularly. Le Café is not only addressing food security needs but has become an important social network for the people who eat there. Those with little money have few opportunities to go out to socialize. Eating at Le Café with the same people on a regular basis plays an important role in alleviating their loneliness and allowing them to talk and share with people who find themselves in similar situations.

Le Café is an initiative of Federation CJA, along with Agence Ometz, the Communauté Sépharade unifiée du Québec, the Cummings Centre, and is supported by MADA Community Centre. The plan is to keep it open as long as the need for it remains.

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Federation CJA is a registered charitable organization pursuant to the Canadian Income Tax Act - Registration number: 106702251RR0001.
Federation CJA is a 501c(3) non-profit Community Organization - 98-018 3709.
All donations to Federation CJA are tax-deductible in full.