From May 10 to 16, 2026, the themed celebration week led by the Regroupement des popotes roulantes du Québec marks 60 years of meal delivery, of course, but above all 60 years of presence, care, and mutual support for seniors and people with reduced autonomy. Behind every meal delivered to a person lies much more than a service: it is a human gesture, a bond of trust, and a community that looks after its own.
The VBM, an actor present since the beginning
This story began in Montreal, more precisely in St. Matthias, Westmount. In 1965–1966, a pilot project called Stew for a Few was launched in collaboration with the Victorian Order of Nurses, the Volunteer Bureau of Montreal (VBM), and dedicated volunteers. Initially, 18 hot meals were delivered twice a week over six months. Very quickly, however, the initiative demonstrated its relevance. It already mobilized dozens of volunteers, inspired other communities, and helped lay the foundations of a model that would become widely adopted.
For the VBM, this anniversary holds a very special meaning. In addition to having contributed to the creation of this service, it continues to support artisanal Meals on Wheels, meaning 100% volunteer-driven services deeply rooted in their communities.
A collective movement across Quebec
The 60th anniversary of Meals on Wheels is also an opportunity to highlight that this story is collective. In Quebec, Meals on Wheels services form a network that is difficult to fully define, as it is made up of countless community-based initiatives, often discreet but essential. From one region to another, these services take many forms, led by volunteers and organizations deeply embedded in their communities. The networks mentioned below provide a valuable overview and help illustrate the scale of this solidarity-based model.
The Regroupement des popotes roulantes du Québec, officially founded in 1992 and formerly known as PRASAB, is the provincial association of Meals on Wheels and other volunteer-based food services in Canada. It brings together nearly 155 member organizations across 16 regions of Quebec and supports its members through advocacy, collaboration, and the development of tools. Across the network, this represents today 20,000 volunteers, 5.75 million meals per year, and more than 159,000 beneficiaries.
In Montreal, Popotes Montréal, the Association des popotes roulantes du Montréal métropolitain, also plays an important role in this ecosystem. The organization supports healthcare professionals and caregivers by providing a reliable service to people who are unable to prepare a proper meal. Its mission emphasizes balanced meals that contribute to aging in place, with respect, mutual support, and dignity.
A legacy that spans generations
Celebrating 60 years of Meals on Wheels means celebrating far more than an anniversary. It means recognizing a tradition of mutual support that spans generations. It is a tribute to volunteers who, for decades, have given their time with discretion and generosity.
And all signs suggest that this solidarity still has a bright future ahead. As long as communities are ready to mobilize, individuals remain committed to lending a hand, and organizations continue to carry this momentum forward, Meals on Wheels services will keep evolving, reinventing themselves, and responding to both present and future needs. The future of Meals on Wheels relies on this deeply human collective strength that unites generations and reminds us that a fairer, more caring community is built every day through the simplest acts.
