Searching for Free / Low-cost Meals

Food bank, soup kitchen, thrift store

• donations welcome

Emergency food bank

• access once a month or more under extenuating circumstances
• by appointment but walk-ins will still be served after appointments have been met
• walk-ins must take a number and be seated until their number is called

Informal breakfast drop-in program

• information about resources and services
• opportunity for social interaction
• community building
• one-on-one support if requested
• activities

Two free weekly morning drop-in centres

• open to everyone
• free breakfast
• an opportunity to: socialize, play games, do crafts, attend a presentation, and get information about local services and resources

Programs:

• Dinner on the House: sit down meal every Thu, drop-in style, no appointment needed
• Drop-in Lunch: sit down meal on the 2nd and 4th Thu of the month

Community kitchen

• drop-in lunch and fellowship
• wellness groups (grief, anger management, depression/anxiety)
• free counselling services
• free clothing distribution for community

Community church and cafe

• bible study
• various groups (ladies, children, youth, etc.)
• monthly community supper
• Love Your Neighbour Fund: emergency fund for individuals in critical need (based on availability)
• summer and March break camps, as well as recreational club for children

Cafe:

• coffee shop run entirely by volunteers
• provides a list of recovery cost prices for donations
• offers fair trade coffees and teas at cost
• art from local artists is displayed on the walls

Two free weekly morning drop-in centres

• open to everyone
• free breakfast
• an opportunity to: socialize, play games, do crafts, attend a presentation, and get information about local services and resources

Programs:

• Dinner on the House: sit down meal every Thu, drop-in style, no appointment needed
• Drop-in Lunch: sit down meal on the 2nd and 4th Thu of the month

Poverty reduction initiative

• public education
• information on community services
• calendar of events

Lunch and Learn:

• monthly program
• residents can attend an hour of education and/or entertainment followed by an hour for lunch and socializing
• free transportation to and from the program available

Green Food Box:

• monthly program offered twice per month, once in North Dundas and once in South Dundas, where residents can buy produce as a collaborative

Good Neighbour Award:

• an annual award given to one adult and one youth in each of the two townships within Dundas County
• nominations come from residents who want to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and kindness of neighbours

EXPO:

• annual March Break fun day at Maple Ridge Centre that includes a host of exhibitors consisting of agency representatives ready to discuss/explain the services and resources available to Dundas County residents

Welcome Dundas:

• welcome bags consisting of information about agencies, organizations, municipalities, and businesses are available to newcomers to North and South Dundas

Project Warmth Dundas County:

• Dundas County's low-income individuals and families receive free window insulation kits in the fall

Heat for the Holidays:

• Dundas County food bank clients who heat with wood are eligible to receive a free month's supply of wood

Information Forums:

• these change year to year, in 2017 there was a Basic Income Forum; in 2018 there will be a housing event called Home Sweet Home where there will be information related to housing issues from one end of the spectrum (hidden homelessness) to the other (buying or owning your own home)

Frequent changes in programs. See website or Facebook page for most up to date offerings.

Church offering community services

• community meals program La Soupière
• may provide emergency assistance when the Hawkesbury Food Bank is closed or cannot assist
• Christmas baskets
• church hall provided at low or no cost to some community organizations
• friendly visiting
• 12-step program for addiction, dysfunction

Free weekly meals at the local high school

• dinner served every Wednesday from 4:30pm to 6 pm
• program runs through the school year until June 14th

Food Bank:

• can provide hamper once every two weeks
• mostly non-perishables
• bread, milk, eggs, butter, meat, sometimes fresh produce, baby food and diapers when available

Advocacy and Referral Services:

• Help for Heat
• Low Income Energy Asistance Program (LEAP)
• Homelessness Prevention
• literacy related assistance
• medical and dental services

Other services:

• pastoral care
• transportation assistance
• Christmas hampers
• Angel Tree toy drive
• back to school campaign
• volunteer program
• friendship lunch
• snowsuit fund
• emergency assistance for overnight accommodation
• emergency disaster relief for fire victims
• visitation for various needs including hospital and home visitations
• assistance for those suffering abuse
• Christian Summer Day Camp
• Overnight Camp

Services and activities to the residents of the Carson area such as:

• homework club (HWC)
• after school programs (ASP)
• youth groups
• sports activities
• volunteer programs
• crisis intervention
• referrals
• short-term counselling
• group support
• low-income energy assistance program
• voice mail
• early years play groups

Delivers special activities such as:

• community bbq
• holiday dinners

Integrated social services for community within Ward 13

Poverty Reduction:

• emergency food service (see separate record)
• community gardens
• collective kitchens
• community meals
• baby cupboard
• Market Mobile (see separate record)

Counselling services:

• social services
• referrals
• crisis intervention
• short-term counselling

Skills Development:

• housing support
• employment support
• health promotion and awareness
• referrals

Children, Youth & Families:

• playgroups
• parenting support program
• violin course
• after-school program
• sports and arts programming
• youth leadership program

Community Support and Development:

• community development
• community events
• Post-Incident Protocol
• CDF activities

Community Support:

• épingle à linge : clothing cupboard
• group support
• low-income energy assistance program
• voicemail
• free access to computers

Carson Community House: see separate record

Other services: Gift-in-kind

Free meal program on Thursday nights

Saturday evening meals

• regular and vegetarian menu options
• opportunity to socialize
• children are welcome

COVID-19 (12 November, 2021): Provides essential supports to the community during Ontario's stay-at-home order. Hours and services remain unchanged. Call you have any questions.

This information is regularly updated on their Facebook page.

Drop-in centre for men and women located in Centretown

• supportive counselling
• crisis intervention
• advocacy
• free condoms and SITE supplies (needle exchange, Safe Inhalation)
• hygiene supplies, including menstruation supplies
• emergency telephone
• coffee and tea served
• free WIFI
• recreational activities
• light meals

Drop-in services on the 2nd level of Centretown United Church are NOT ACCESSIBLE. Take-out or Dine in options available to each walk-in during meal times.

Licensed child care and recreational program provider

• develops and delivers recreation programs as a community partner of the City of Ottawa
• licensed child care (Before- and After-School in Manor Park, Manor Park Playschool)

Programs for kids:

• summer and March Break camps
• sports
• workshops (babysitting, Dungeons and Dragons, etc)

Licensed Child Care:

• Before and After-School in Manor Park
• Manor Park Playschool

Programs for adults:

• sessional arts (watercolour, acrylics, drawing, etc)
• adult fitness
• Heart Wise programs
• yoga
• Manor Park talks
• workshops

Activities for everyone:

• Rock the Block, first Friday following September long weekend
• Pints in the Park, last Saturday in July
• Sunset Soiree, early July
• Holiday Night Market
• Skating Part - first Saturday in February
• Outdoor skating rinks

Collective kitchen for and by the students

• plant-based meals

A supportive and inclusive community where women gather to connect and build on their strengths

• delivers programs that support women in meeting their basic needs, making their life choices and participating in their community

Drop-in day program for women with their children of all ages

• peer, personal and group support
• advocacy
• outreach
• crisis intervention
• free light breakfast (8 am-10 am) and nutritious hot lunch (12 noon-1 pm)
• social, recreational and educational programs
• personal hygiene products and other practical supports
• Internet access

This information was obtained from and is regularly updated on their Facebook page.

Christian interdenominational charity serving those experiencing poverty and homelessness in downtown Ottawa

Tuesday Door Service

• takeaway soup and sandwiches
• takeaway grocery hampers
• takeaway toiletries, including menstruation supplies
• pastoral care

Street Outreach

• seven evenings and one afternoon of mobile outreach downtown, providing emergency provisions and care

Innercity Arts Program

• for homeless and at-risk youth and young adults, 16-32 years old

Innercity Veterans Outreach and Support

• drop-in and support for homeless and at-risk veterans
• access to resources and literature
• phone and computer
• individualized support
• recreational activities
• refreshments

Various special events and community meals

COVID-19 (22 Nov 2021) Food Cupboard is still open, food boxes available. Call reception at 613-722-3811 for assistance or to volunteer. The centre and its offices are closed to the public, until further notice, but the staff is equipped and are working remotely from home. Contact program coordinators directly if in need of assistance. Take away breakfast and lunch meals are available.

This information is regularly updated on their Facebook page.

Drop-in centre in partnerships with:

• front line workers
• outreach workers
• housing specialists
• visiting nurses
• elders
• trainers
• attendants
• bannock bus

Offers a secure and culturally appropriate place where people can use the following services:

• professional counselling
• employment readiness

Life skills

• financial management
• hygiene
• self-confidence
• time management
• nutrition
• teamwork
• resume writing
• emails
• computer skills

Cultural teachings

Referral services

• health centres
• food banks
• addiction centres

Crisis Intervention

• suicide prevention
• counselling services

Laundry and shower facilities available on a scheduled basis

Two hot meals per day are provided on a scheduled basis

Clothing donations

Housing search and advocacy

Wellbriety (Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings with traditional teachings) and support groups

Serves sandwiches, coffee and dinner

• currently only take-out service is available
• operates a community garden in support of the Food Bank and Meal Program

The Food Bank Programme is offered once a month for people who reside within the Sandy Hill area at two locations:

• 151 Laurier Ave E, Ottawa ON, K1N 6N8
• 300 Wiggins Priv (Community Room, access in back), Ottawa, ON K1N 1B2

Day program

• offering nutritional breakfast and hot nutritional lunch
• personal and practical support
• shower access
• laundry facilities
• telephone
• referrals and advocacy
• computer with high speed Internet
• emergency grocery cupboard program

COVID-19 (April 14, 2020): Free store program will operate as a take out style * garden space is operating with limited access to active collective members * this information is regularly updated on their Facebook page

Community kitchen providing free vegan meals and other social justice services to Carleton University and the wider Ottawa community

COVID-19 (15 Nov 2022): Will be offering both in-person and take-out meals until further notice.

Community meals