Searching for Free / Low-cost Meals

Drop-in and community meal program * opportunities to play cards, socialize

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

Seasonal publications

Active Publications:

• List of Free Easter Meals 2023
• List of Out-of-the-Cold Programs, Free Meals, Snacks and Drop-Ins (2022-2023)

Archived Publications:

• Holiday Meals (2022)
• ​List of Free Thanksgiving Meals 2022

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

Community 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.

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

Downtown Services and Drop-In (DSDI) is open.

Services:

• support services and drop-in for youth
• crisis and individual short-term supportive counselling
• laundry facilities, showers, housing, and trusteeship services
• access to computers with internet access and telephones
• health clinic with a multidisciplinary health team
• outreach and needle exchange programs

Issues addressed:

• poverty
• abuse
• health care
• employment
• school
• substance abuse
• sexual orientation
• loss

Emergency shelter for adult men - day services available for residents and community members

Free community meals, 7 days a week

• drop-in for non-residents
• meals served to residents three times daily

Community Meal Food Truck

• Weekly offerings at various sites, changing schedule. See website for details.

Client services

• personalized case management
• housing assistance
• employment support
• educational support (Stepping Stones Learning Centre and Discovery University)
• mental health support

Health supervision and counselling services

• offered for substance use issues

Primary care clinic

• provides accessible health care to homeless people who have n access to family medical care
• hosts specialty care clinics, including foot care and women's health

Spiritual Christian counselling offered by chaplain on premises

• chapel services

Free clothing offered to men

Addiction and Trauma Services at the Ottawa Mission

• drop-in group support to men
• structured live-in program with beds and aftercare

Dental program

• emergencies
• preventative
• surgical
• restorative
• removable denture care for people in shelters or living on the street

The ID Project Drop in Clinic: see separate record for more information

Collective kitchen for and by the students

• plant-based meals

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

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

Francophone drop-in centre for marginalized women:

• helps improve the health, dignity and life conditions of marginalized women
• listening and support
• meals or snacks
• recreational activities
• coaching
• workshops
• information and referral
• resource centre
• library multimedia
• telecommunication resources
• emergency help with food and clothing
• laundry
• shower
• volunteering

COVID-19 (11 Apr 2022): This information is regularly updated on their Facebook page.

Provides short term and long term emotional, social and psychological benefits

Services

• practical support
• personal support
• volunteer opportunities
• computer access
• community fridge

COVID-19 (6 Nov 2020): Take-out and sit down meals are available. In order to respect the social distancing guidelines, only 20 patrons will be allowed to sit down for a limited 30 minutes period while enjoying their breakfast. Face covering and hand sanitizing required.

This information is regularly updated on their Facebook page.

Provides a meal program for those in need

• fresh hot meals
• fresh salads
• coffee and tea
• sit-down meal, but may bring their own container to bring food home

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.

COVID-19 (9 Nov 2021): Meal service regular schedule for residents is maintained. Meals to go are available.

• volunteering opportunity, fill out the form on the website to register.

This information is regularly updated on their Facebook page.

Support services designed to meet the basic needs of the community

• Soup Kitchen: serves a hot meal daily
• Evening Drop-In (see separate record for details)

Donations welcome

Volunteers deliver hot noon meals

• frozen meals available
  • clients are encouraged to switch from daily hot meal delivery to frozen meals in bulk
  • for those who cannot manage heating up frozen meals, hot meals will be provided)
  • it is also recommended that clients order additional frozen meals in bulk to reduce the frequency of deliveries
• Saturday deliveries available
• service on a short-term or long-term basis

Food service

• healthy meals
• fish and chicken are always an alternate to the daily menu
• beverages, muffins, sandwiches, snacks, and desserts are available
• lunch (soup, sandwiches, a hot lunch) is available

Provides opportunities for individuals to participate in social, recreational,educational and volunteer activities and benefit from social and health services

Programs:

• day centre activities
• Adult Day Program
• Community support services
• Seniors' Centre Without Walls (telephone-based programming)

Food Services:

• reasonably priced meals
• nutritious hot lunches, soup and sandwiches, muffins, desserts, snacks, beverages
• take-out meals
• festive and theme dinner parties
• some diet restrictions can be accommodated
• grocery shopping/food delivery

Physical Activities:

• chair exercise
• fitness centre
• yoga
• dance classes
• well-being classes
• weights or cardio
• zumba
• pole walking

In House Services:

• hair salon
• foot care
• massage therapy
• esthetics
• wellness clinic

Craft Program:

• painting
• quilting
• stained glass
• knitting
• crochet
• jewellery making
• woodworking

Performing Arts:

• choir
• choir chimes
• performing groups and bands
• home of the Grey Jazz Band

Education and Health Program:

• computer classes
• current affairs
• language classes
• wellness seminars
• guest lecturers
• day trips

Games and Social Program:

• cards
• dance
• sing along
• monthly birthday party
• special events and teas
• bingo

Fitness Programs:

• for adults regardless of fitness level, mobility or agility and for persons who suffer from osteoporosis, arthritis, or other muscular or cardiovascular conditions

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 (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 (6 Nov 2020): Take-out and sit down meals are available. In order to respect the social distancing guidelines, sit down meals will be limited to a 30 minutes period per patron while enjoying their lunch. Face covering and hand sanitizing required.

This information is regularly updated on their Facebook page.

Provides a meal programs for those in need

• delivered in partnership with The Well/La Source
• fresh hot meals
• fresh salads
• coffee and tea
• sit-down meal, but may bring their own container to bring food home

Hot soup event