Giving to Support Those in Need
Help The Ottawa Mission Serve 10,000 meals this Easter by Donating Frozen Turkeys and Produce
Ottawa, ON – As we head into spring after a long winter, planning is underway for The Ottawa Mission’s annual Easter Dinner, which will take place on Monday, April 18th at the shelter. The Mission will also be serving Easter meals the week before through its first food truck launched in September 2020 and its new food truck being launched on April 11. The two vehicles will provide a full Easter dinner at 31 locations across Ottawa. The Mission is launching this second truck to meet the unbelievable need for food in our community. With the addition of the new truck, The Mission anticipates serving more than 10,000 Easter meals – a new record for the shelter.
The impact of the continuing pandemic on hunger in Ottawa has been profound. In 2020 – 2021, the number of meals served by The Ottawa Mission grew by 40% from the previous year to 727,903 meals to shelter residents and those in need in the community. Because of worsening hunger, the shelter introduced its food truck program in September 2020, which has grown to providing over 3,600 meals each week in 19 locations throughout the city. Since September 2020, the food truck has served over 225,000 meals. The shelter estimates that it will serve 950,000 – 1 million meals this fiscal year.
“It will take 4,500 pounds of turkey, or 250 large turkeys to feed everyone who comes to our special Easter dinner,” says Chef Ric Watson, Director of Food Services at The Mission. “Our kitchen volunteers and staff are working very hard to ensure that everyone will have a delicious turkey dinner by preparing for this very special event in advance.”
Also on the menu will be: 1,500 pounds of beef; 100 pans of stuffing; 3,000 lbs. peeled potatoes; 1,000 lbs. glazed fresh carrots; 150 gallons of gravy; and 900 vegetarian quiches.
Donations of frozen turkeys and produce can be dropped off between 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the garage entrance to The Ottawa Mission at the corner of Waller and Besserer. Please ring the bell and a staff person will arrive to receive your donation.
About The Ottawa Mission
Since 1906, The Ottawa Mission has been serving those who are homeless, hungry and lost by providing food, clothing, shelter and skills. In 2020-2021, The Ottawa Mission provided emergency shelter to an average of 185 men every night and served an average of 1,994 meals every day. The Ottawa Mission also provides to men and women health services, mental health and addiction treatment programs, hospice care, dental services, housing services, educational support, job training, spiritual care, and clothing to thousands in need in our community. In September 2020, The Ottawa Mission marked the one millionth hour that the shelter has been in existence since its founding in 1906. In 2019, the Mission became a housing-focused shelter reflective of its commitment to a home for everyone as a human right with the launch of its housing department. Visit ottawamission.com to learn more.
FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Aileen Leo
Director of Communications
T 613.234.1144 x 305
E-mail: aleo@ottawamission.com