Photo: Martin C. Barry • NEWSFIRST
Dépannage Saint-Agapé had to answer more people's needs this year, according to the group's president André Ouellet.

It was with the traditional Christmas spirit that volunteers with Dépannage Saint-Agapé made their way on Sunday Nov. 28 from door to door through the streets of Two Mountains, soliciting donations of non-perishable food and money for the annual Christmas basket campaign.
Generosity helps
During the last three years, according to André Ouellet, the campaign’s well-known organizer, Dépannage Saint-Agapé has distributed more than $232,700 is assistance, divided between 690 Christmas baskets and 452 food emergencies, thanks to the generosity of Two Mountains residents.
During the last year alone, the organization gave away 213 baskets to families with more than 232 children. Dépannage Saint-Agapé also intervened 164 times. In 2010, the demands for help increased substantially and forced Dépannage Saint-Agapé to reduce some of the amounts it allocates for food emergencies.
Needs went up
Ouellet said a rise in the cost of living and the price of food contributed to more families and individuals being in need of emergency food in order to nourish themselves. They also sometimes required help in finding used appliances and furniture. While the main segment of the food drive has already taken place, toys can be donated during the Two Mountains Santa Claus Parade on Sunday Dec. 5.
Many volunteers and organizations from Two Mountains, including local mass servers, Scouts and Guides, are participating in this part of the Christmas basket campaign. Primary and secondary schools are also taking part. Firefighters with the Deux-Montagnes/Ste-Marthe-sur-le-Lac fire department will be doing a roadside collection on Dec. 11 in order to gather additional funds for the campaign.
Sponsors helped
Other partners supporting the campaign are I.G.A. Deux-Montagnes, the Groupe Jean-Claude Langlois Inc., Women’s Time Out and the Lions Club. Families and persons wishing to receive a Christmas basket had until Dec. 3 to register. The distribution of the baskets will be taking place on the morning of Sat. Dec. 18 in the basement of Saint-Agapit Church.