Dear friends of the Roulant,
In their mid-twenties, Chris and Keith were happily working in the vibrant kitchen of Café Santropol when a pair of newspaper articles caught their attention. One highlighted that social isolation was a leading cause of malnutrition among seniors, while the other claimed that young people were increasingly disengaged from their communities.
Struck by this contrast, they decided to volunteer with a Meals-on-Wheels program in Rosemont, an experience that ultimately inspired them to found Santropol Roulant in 1995.
As we mark the 30th anniversary of that pivotal moment, the message remains strikingly familiar. Just this summer, the Quebec government released its 10-year Health Prevention Strategy, sounding the same alarm of increasing loneliness and isolation among seniors.
Fortunately, the generations of Roulanters that followed its founding continued to explore new approaches to social change beyond delivering a vital Meals-on-Wheels service. To truly address the root causes of food insecurity and social exclusion, we needed to cultivate a community capable of building resilience and improving individual and collective health.
This vision of a more inspiring, inclusive food system expanded the organization’s scope: educating children about food, collaborating with partners serving marginalized communities, fostering deeper neighbourhood engagement, and even protecting arable land, essential to food sovereignty, on the Island of Montreal.
In 2025, sliding scale fees, pay-what-you-can food services, and free meals and vegetables, are as central to Santropol Roulant’s identity as our dedication to welcoming vulnerable community members into our indoor and outdoor spaces and activities.
The seed Chris and Keith planted has grown and blossomed. Today, 1,500 people of all ages volunteer with the Roulant annually, spreading benefits through their wider communities. This engagement reminds us that our impact is strongest when people from all walks of life come together, each bringing unique energy, wisdom, and perspective.
What began as a response to a moment has evolved into something far more enduring: living, breathing spaces where care takes unexpected forms.
Our journey isn’t defined solely by what we’ve done, but by what remains possible: and the pressing responsibilities ahead. We invite you to join us on this journey by making a donation today. With your support, the next chapter can be even more nourishing than the last.
Affectionately,
Melanie and Pier