How West Island mom gives back to charity that helps stock her cupboards

Nearly two years ago, Pierrefonds mom Tiffany Williamson made a phone call no one wants to make — she needed help feeding her family. Today, she says she's learned "it's harder to ask for help than it is to find help."

On Rock food bank part of West Island Community Shares, beneficiary of this year's CBC Christmas Sing-In

Jaela Bernstien · CBC News · Posted: Dec 09, 2016 6:00 PM EST | Last Updated: December 9, 2016

Pierrefonds mother Tiffany Williamson says On Rock food bank helps keep her cupboards stocked, and she volunteers to make sure other families get the support they need. (Jaela Bernstien/CBC)

Nearly two years ago, Pierrefonds mom Tiffany Williamson made a difficult phone call — she dialed the number for a food bank and admitted she needed help.

Today, she says she's learned that "it's harder to ask for help than it is to find help" on the West Island.

"It's never easy.... It takes away a bit of your pride, and you don't want people knowing that you need help."

She says the staff and volunteers at On Rock never judged her, and now she's come full circle. She spends at least one day a week volunteering at the food bank, helping others.

"It makes me feel a little bit more complete. I'm giving back to those who are helping me."

Even her teenage son has started to help out at the centre.

"It's teaching my kids responsibility. I get them to help volunteer, so the circle does go all the way around," she says.

"It's good to help, and it's also great to give help back."

Donate now to CBC's 2016 Sing-In charity: West Island Community Shares

Once or twice a week, Tiffany Williamson helps assemble boxes for other families in need. She says giving back makes her feel good. (CBC)

The charity's weekly food baskets make a significant difference in Williamson's budget. She says now, she never has to worry about her cupboards being stocked.

"This saves over 50 dollars a week, at least. So I can put that towards any necessities that my kids need that suddenly come up."

The extra help also means she can focus on her unpaid full-time job: being a single mother to three children — daughters, aged two and nine, and a teenage son.

"I'm there for ped days. I'm there for sick days. Everything is on me."

Pierrefonds' On Rock charity runs a food bank, a community diner and a school lunch program. (Jaela Bernstien/CBC)

Helping 200 families

On Rock, located in Pierrefonds, is one of the organizations that CBC's annual Christmas fundraiser will help support this holiday season.

It's one of 40 non-profit agencies supported by West Island Community Shares, the beneficiary of this year's CBC Montreal Christmas Sing-In charity drive.

The community organization helps roughly 200 families through its food bank, school lunch program and community diner.

On Rock's community diner offers low cost meal options to West Island residents. Supper is $2 per person and $5 per family. (Jaela Bernstien/CBC )

The power of 'thank you'

The agency's president and founder, Kim Reid, says it all kind of happened by accident.

On Rock started as a drop-in centre for teens and morphed into a food bank over time.

He said it started with an 81-year-old woman who asked if she could use their space once a week for a food bank she ran. Eventually, Reid says, the woman showed up less and less.

"And six months down the road, I looked at my buddy and I said, 'I'm not sure, but I think we run a food bank now.'"

For Reid, clients like Williamson make it all worth it.

He says when some take the time to volunteer and give back, or even if they offer a simple "thank you," that's what keeps him going every week.