A handful of politicians turned up at The Sun Youth Organization's headquarters in downtown Montreal Thursday to help the group out with its annual Christmas basket giveaway.
The giveaway, which began on Dec. 18, continues right through until Christmas Eve. By then, about 5,000 baskets will have been handed out, filled with food, hygiene products and toys for kids under 12.
Mayor Denis Coderre was among those who turned up Sun Youth to lend a hand, and greet recipients.
"There's mixed feelings," the mayor said. "First of all our role, of course, is to make sure that those food banks won't be necessary anymore, but clearly, [they are]."
Also on hand was Montreal MNA —- and current National Assembly speaker — Jacques Chagnon.
"There are so many people alone, and so many people asking for help," he says. "Us, we have the facilities, and we have the duty to help people and make people more happy."
Sun Youth, meantime, reminds people that while Christmas is the time when the most attention is focused on the act of giving — needy families need Sun Youth's services year-round.
It's Christmas basket season at Sun Youth, filling the gaps for those in need for the holidays. Mayor Coderre helping out. #cjad pic.twitter.com/LW3JiG0tfn
— Emily Campbell (@emkcampbell) December 22, 2016