{"id":102794,"date":"2026-03-10T09:32:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T13:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/?p=102794"},"modified":"2026-03-11T14:47:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T18:47:43","slug":"sac-anjou-nurturing-independence-while-strengthening-the-social-fabric","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/en\/blog\/sac-anjou-nurturing-independence-while-strengthening-the-social-fabric\/","title":{"rendered":"SAC Anjou: Nurturing independence while strengthening the social fabric"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">For over forty years, <strong>Service d\u2019aide communautaire Anjou (SAC Anjou)<\/strong> has laid down deep roots in the life of its neighbourhood. Born from a community movement in the 1980s, the agency continues to serve as an essential resource for hundreds of families, immigrants, and seniors, who visit the agency every week to find a warm welcome, concrete support, and a place to gain new strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>The Anjou neighbourhood is changing, as it is now home to newcomers, families living on a low income, and isolated individuals. For many people, one of the most pressing challenges is access to enough healthy and affordable food. To address this reality, SAC Anjou has made <strong>food self-sufficiency<\/strong> the focus of its work.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:37% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CENTRAIDE_SAC_02-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-102786 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CENTRAIDE_SAC_02-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CENTRAIDE_SAC_02-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CENTRAIDE_SAC_02-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CENTRAIDE_SAC_02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CENTRAIDE_SAC_02-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Each week, the agency provides:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Two community lunches<\/strong>, where people can genuinely connect over a hot meal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A food bank<\/strong> that supports <strong>200&nbsp;families<\/strong> week after week.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased support during periods of high demand: in <strong>2025<\/strong>, it handed out <strong>6,500&nbsp;food baskets<\/strong> to over <strong>400&nbsp;families<\/strong> in the neighbourhood.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The team does more than just give out food, as it also takes time for education and support to empower people to take control over their diets and their budgets. Because eating is not just about nourishment: it is about living with dignity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:59px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-little-title\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Empowering activities that bring people together<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>SAC Anjou\u2019s main mission is to provide a range of services that offer practical solutions to the real-life needs of the people it supports. In addition to providing essential food assistance, the agency runs programs that promote independence, social inclusion, and citizen involvement. These include emergency assistance and individual support, social activities, tax preparation assistance, coffee klatches, community kitchens, educational workshops, and family support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To stay aligned with its mission of promoting mutual aid, reducing inequalities, and improving living conditions, SAC Anjou creates accessible and welcoming spaces that help everyone find resources, regain confidence, and develop a sense of belonging to their community.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:40% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CENTRAIDE_SAC_28-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-102747 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CENTRAIDE_SAC_28-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CENTRAIDE_SAC_28-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CENTRAIDE_SAC_28-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CENTRAIDE_SAC_28-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CENTRAIDE_SAC_28-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>For example, knitting workshops let women from diverse backgrounds share skills and stories with a warm, human touch that does everyone some good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Newcomers to the country may use these workshops to build a network. Others use it as a space to help them overcome isolation. Together, the knitters create handcrafted items that are sold to benefit the community. Although this activity may seem modest at first glance, it is actually a space of inclusion, trust, and empowerment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"609\" height=\"85\" src=\"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Separateur_corpo_1-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-44527\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:386px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Separateur_corpo_1-1.png 609w, https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Separateur_corpo_1-1-300x42.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 609px) 100vw, 609px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:29px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"video\">We sat down with <strong>Nathalie&nbsp;Lajoie<\/strong>, Executive&nbsp;Director, and <strong>Jacqueline&nbsp;Cardin<\/strong>, a very involved volunteer, at the agency\u2019s new offices. In this short video, they explain what this community agency does and why it is so important to the people of Anjou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-little-title\"><strong>Watch the video<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<section id=\"block_fedd831aa4a68f5cd96f3cc7e08d1986\" class=\"video__vtx theme-block aligndefault\">\n  <a class=\"video__vtx_link popup-youtube\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=K16TSeUeRVc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n    <div class=\"carousel-content__item__video__back\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Laureats-Solidaires-SAC-dAnjou.jpg);\">\n    <div class=\"overlay_video\"><\/div>\n      <i class=\"icon icon-play\"><\/i>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/a>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:18px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:23% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Visuel_500x500_Jacqueline.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-102845 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Visuel_500x500_Jacqueline.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Visuel_500x500_Jacqueline-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Visuel_500x500_Jacqueline-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Visuel_500x500_Jacqueline-440x440.jpg 440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><strong><strong><strong><strong>SAC Anjou volunteer honoured for her commitment<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jacqueline Cardin received the Solidaires Citizen Involvement, which recognizes the exceptional contribution of volunteers whose leadership and engagement make a concrete and lasting impact on their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a co-founder of SAC Anjou and other local agencies, Jacqueline Cardin has held key positions, particularly in senior management, while remaining close to people and their realities. Still active, she currently leads the knitting club for seniors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The jury praised the constancy and depth of her commitment, which has shaped the community landscape of Anjou and inspired multiple generations of volunteers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:38px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center is-style-middle-title\"><strong>1 out of 5 people receives our help. <br>5 out of 5 people benefit from it.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"block-stylised-title theme-block aligndefault\" id=\"block_f5401d9b23fe959da4e6c32fa9871a50\" style=\"text-align: center\">                            <span class=\"block-stylised-title__line block-stylised-title__line--big-thin\"><b><font size=\"6\">Let&#8217;s all lend a hand<\/font><\/b><\/span>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:18px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignfull is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-499968f5 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-grey-background-color has-background has-large-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/secure.centraide-mtl.org\/registrant\/DonationPage.aspx?EventID=389613&amp;LangPref=en-CA&amp;Referrer=blogue\" style=\"border-radius:0px\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>DONATE<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Supporting a network of over 375 community agencies also means promoting an inclusive, poverty-free society.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For over forty years, Service d\u2019aide communautaire Anjou (SAC Anjou) has laid down deep roots in the life of its neighbourhood. Born from a community movement in the 1980s, the agency continues to serve as&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":102850,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"41892,71678,40269,66767,101814,1144","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[682],"tags":[664,740,742],"content-type":[493,705,709],"sector":[112],"class_list":["post-102794","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-neighbourhood-life","tag-food-security","tag-neighbourhoods","tag-community-action","content-type-articles-en","content-type-videos-en","content-type-testimonials","sector-anjou"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-22 20:55:49","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102794","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=102794"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102794\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":102897,"href":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102794\/revisions\/102897"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/102850"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=102794"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=102794"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=102794"},{"taxonomy":"content-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-type?post=102794"},{"taxonomy":"sector","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/sector?post=102794"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}