Ottawa Food Bank

Social Service

About

The Ottawa Food Bank is the main emergency food provider in the National Capital Region. Through 112 community food programs, it provides food for over 39,000 people per month – 37% of whom are children.

The Ottawa Food Bank supports health and food security for  kids, families, seniors and people living alone in Ottawa.  Of the 5.4 million pounds of food distributed annually to the community, 46% is fresh (eggs,  milk, bread, fish, meat and fresh fruits and vegetables).

Thanks to donations of money, food and time, food bank clients across Ottawa have access to 11 varieties of fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the year. Volunteers help sort food in our warehouse and help harvest local produce grown at the Ottawa Food Bank farm.

During the summer, approx. 20 varieties vegetables and fruit are grown expressly for donation to community food bank clients. Volunteers help harvest over 100,000 pounds of local produce every year. They include broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots and squash.

Our Impact

Gifts of every amount help the Ottawa Food Bank purchase the best food possible. As a result, you also improve the health outcomes of tens of thousands of people who depend on emergency food services.

The Ottawa Food Bank spends roughly $1.9 million a year on food purchases to keep up with demand. Donations ensure a variety of nutritious and balanced options are available to Ottawa residents who struggle with poverty and hunger.

Because the Ottawa Food Bank obtains food in such large quantities, and have amazing food industry partners and supporters, we can make your donation go further. This means that every dollar donated helps us delivery $5 of food to the community.

Want to know more about how food insecurity can be addressed? In September 2021 the Ottawa Food Bank participated in a national conversation about food banking in Canada. Listen to the podcast or watch the video to hear contrasting perspectives on ways you can help.

 

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Legal Name

Ottawa Food Bank

Charity Number

10808 2363 RR0001

How your gift will be used

When food donations are down, or in times of emergency, your gifts purchase and distribute food that meets the needs of Ottawa’s most vulnerable.

Donations are used to ensure nearly half the food distributed is fresh (fruit, vegetables, bread, meat, poultry, dairy and eggs). More than 39,000 people in Ottawa access a food program every month.

Your gifts also support community partnerships that improve food security and give Ottawa residents access to culturally appropriate food. The Ottawa Food Bank has a network of 112 agencies across the city that provide food hampers to families, healthy after-school snacks to kids, and hot meals for people in immediate need. Other supports are also found at community food programs. They include help with food literacy, opportunities for social interaction, and help to access community programs supporting mental and physical health.

37% of households who receive support from the Ottawa Food Bank have children, so your donations also buy basic needs like baby cereal, formula, diapers and wipes to help food bank clients in Ottawa with babies.

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