Guignolée 2026
Thanks to your generosity, last year…
3,700
households received a Christmas basket
8,000+
people were reached
3,000
children benefited from this help
What your gift makes possible
Food baskets
Last year, nearly 3,700 households received a Christmas basket thanks to the generosity of our community.
Help all year round
Food assistance and support for individuals and families going through hard times.
A caring presence
Volunteers who listen, in Montreal, Laval and the MRC de L’Assomption.
Want to give close to home?
Choose the service point you would like to support. Your donation will go directly to its activities.
MONTREAL
LAVAL
MRC DE L’ASSOMPTION
Collection events near you
Archival photo
A tradition dating back to 1861
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul organized the first Guignolée in Quebec in 1861. 165 years later, this tradition of solidarity lives on in our neighbourhoods.
The name is thought to come from the old French expression “au gui l’an neuf” (“to the mistletoe, the new year”). In the past, on New Year’s Eve, young men went from house to house singing to ask for meat, pies or a few coins for the poor. The donations, loaded onto a horse-drawn cart, were then shared among families in need.
The Society’s volunteers, nicknamed “guignoleux”, took up this custom to collect food and money and prepare Christmas baskets, in a festive atmosphere filled with carols. Today, the collection takes place a few weeks before Christmas in Montreal, Laval and the MRC de L’Assomption.
Help a family fill its pantry this holiday season.