Searching for Food Banks And Referrals

Information and resource centre for homeless youth

• weekly visits from outreach workers (mental health nurses, drop-in counselling)
• employment supports every Thursday
• hot breakfast every morning
• referrals to outside community supports (ID, mental health, shelters, housing etc.)
• up to ten items a week from the food bank (excluding baby supplies)
• clothing, harm reduction and personal care products

Central services to any person in need upon request through referral to appropriate Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) conferences in Ottawa or to the SSVP Store

• accepts donations in money and in kind and provides receipts for income tax purposes
• coordinates Society's activities in the City of Ottawa
• volunteer opportunities available

Assistance available includes:

• home visits and in-home needs assessment
• food vouchers
• food delivery from a food bank
• clothing
• furniture
• friendly visiting programs
• social justice focused on systemic changes

Assistance may be available for the following:

• utility assistance (heat, hydro, water, etc.)
• financial assistance for emergencies/essentials
• eviction assistance/homelessness prevention
• post-secondary education fund
• individual and cause advocacy
• disaster relief (local and international)

COVID-19 (13 Sept 2021) Food bank still open. Visit the Facebook page for additional information.

Social enterprise, community hub, and second hand store

• selling donated antiques, oddities, retro items and housewares
• profits are used to assist vulnerable individuals in the community

Services include:

• furniture bank
• household items
• community pantry (food, prepared meals, pet supplies, hygiene and personal care items, laundry and cleaning supplies, etc.)
• homeless advocacy
• harm reduction
• referrals to services
• advocacy

Provides emergency assistance

• emergency food bank
• emergency clothing
• household items
• Christmas toys available through the Toy Centre for children ages 12 and under
• summer camps for children ages 7-15

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 (17 Aug 2021): Due to COVID19, food bank is running on reduced hours. Call 613-230-3982. Serving at front entrance only, one client at a time.

This information is regularly updated on their Facebook page.

Provides a two to three day supply of food to residents of Somerset Ward once a month

COVID19 (28 Jun 2021): There is currently a waiting list for food delivery. Clients are asked to wear a mask and respect social distancing protocols at the centre.

Food bank out of community outreach centre

• boxed groceries available twice a week
• grocery delivery

Volunteer opportunities available

COVID-19 (August 17, 2022): Reduced hours during the pandemic. Information regularly updated on their website.

Food hamper

• three to four day emergency food once per month

COVID-19 (September 2, 2021): this food bank has moved to a hamper model. Drop in at the main door of the centre. Food is typically available once every 30 days.


Emergency Food Cupboard program for all residents of Ottawa

COVID19 (13 Oct 2021): Food distribution by appointment only, provided at front and back entrance (indoors). Please call 613-562-2925. Intake at the 40 Cobourg St Centre will be done mostly by phone at 613-789-3930. An appointment is required to visit the premises. The following programs are suspended at the Community House until further notice: weekly free breakfast, computer support, clothing distribution, drop-in knitting lessons, employment support, emergency kitchen and laundry room access and the Millenium Learning Centre free access to computers and to the internet.

Community House

• weekly free breakfast
• computer support
• food distribution
• clothing distribution
• drop-in knitting lessons
• employment support
• emergency kitchen and laundry room access

Millennium Learning Center

• free access to computers and to the Internet

Intake program

• information, advocacy and referral to Centre services and external agencies
• crisis counselling
• short-term counselling

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

COVID-19 (5 Sep 2022): In-person high school and child care for clients. Visitors to the building are welcome, but please call ahead for an appointment. For In-Kind donations such as diapers/wipes/formula - please email info@youvillecentre.org to verify current needs and to book a drop off appointment. Online financial donations are always welcome.

Programs and services for young mothers and their children

• high school education onsite through M.F. McHugh Education Centre and St. Nicholas Adult High School
• licensed child development program focusing on infant mental health
• crisis intervention
• mental health therapy and treatment
• substance use counselling
• help with problem-solving
• attachment-based parenting programs and parent-child therapy
• support in setting goals and navigate access
• referrals to external resources and specialized services (e.g. housing, Ontario Works, health and law)
• breakfast and lunch programs
• food bank
• swap shop
• YouStore (in-kind donations of necessities)

Food bank program

• clients may come for food once a month only
• bring your grocery bags

10 garden lots in the community gardens

• provide fresh herbs and vegetables during the summer months

Grocery store and food bank

• purchase fruits, vegetables, and produce

Note: Please wear a mask and bring your reusable bags.

Provides merchandise at low prices to low-income families

• furniture and clothing free of charge to referred people (referring organization covers the costs)
• those requesting food vouchers are directed to the appropriate St Vincent de Paul parish representative
• central services to any person in need upon request through referral to appropriate Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) conference in Ottawa or to the SSVP store
• accepts donations and sells merchandise at low prices to the general public
• pick-up of donated merchandise is available

COVID-19 (30 Jul 2021) Until further notice the Food Bank will offer service biweekly by appointment only. Must call 613-736-5058 or email blaircourt@rogers.com by the end of the day Monday that week to make an appointment. Some choice may be offered, however mostly boxes are prearranged based on family size. Appointments for pick-up will be at 10 minutes intervals at the Community House door. No entry will be permitted. This information is regularly updated on their Facebook page.

Community house food bank

• food hampers once or twice a month, as needed
• occasionally grocery gift certificates, used clothing (for special circumstances)
• referrals to Snowsuit Fund, Toy Mountain
• delivery available for handicapped clients

Community and recreational programs and supports

• community food bank
• homework club
• child and youth programs (year round)
• adult learning programs
• informal counseling and referrals

Food-related support and programming to help alleviate and address food insecurity at Carleton University

• Emergency Essentials Assistance Program
• Food Related Programming: food drives, initiatives, and events

Food cupboard

• community members weekly access to free food supplies
• initiative is to help support Black individuals and families who have limited amount of funds to purchase food for them and their loved ones

COVID-19 (25 Aug 2021): Services will be available by appointment only for residents of Rideau-Rockliffe (postal codes K1K, and certain K1M and K1G). Call 613-745-0073 ext 206 or 207 Mon, Wed 9 am-4 pm or Tue 9 am-11 am. All are to respect social distancing and keep two metres distance from one another. Delivery may be available through Ottawa Cares for those unable to pick up. Breakfast kits are also available: contact martine.hagen@crcrr.org for more information.

Food program

• clients may make one request per month

Central food collection, warehouse, and distribution centre for a network of emergency food programs.

• distributes donated and purchased food among members (community food banks, meal programs, emergency food cupboard programs, school snack programs, women's and men's shelters

Programs include:

• KickStart: feeds children from low-income families year-round
• Baby Basics: supplies member agencies with items such as baby food, cereal, diapers, wipes and form
• Community Harvest: initiated to increase the amount of fresh, healthy produce distributed to families and individuals using food bank and meal programs; currently grows fresh fruits and vegetables on approximately 7 acres of land
• Volunteer opportunities
• Home delivery: for those who cannot leave their home for a number of reasons including illness, injury, mobility issues, age, single parent, and more

Food bank:

• Emergency food program which provides three days worth of food four times a month

COVID-19 (24 Sep 2021): food bank still operating as normal

Kosher food bank

• volunteer opportunities
• a list of the most urgent food donation options is available on the website
• added the option of «drive through» pick up and/or delivery since Covid