Ottawa Mission Serves 18,271 Thanksgiving Meals – A New Record
Ottawa, ON – During The Ottawa Mission’s annual Thanksgiving meal, which was held on October 13th as well as the week prior to Thanksgiving through the shelter’s food truck program, The Mission served 18,271 meals – a new record for a special meal service.
“It takes 7,000 pounds of turkey to feed everyone during our special Thanksgiving dinner,” noted Chef Ric Watson, Director of Food Services at The Mission. Also on the menu was: 3500 lbs. of peeled potatoes; 2000 lbs. of glazed fresh carrots; 150 gallons of gravy; and 900 vegetarian quiches. “This Thanksgiving meal count is yet another example of the shocking need for food in our community.”
Prior to the pandemic, The Mission served 495,360 meals annually. This past fiscal year, it served an astounding 1,208,935 meals, a 244% increase. “Our shelter continues to face unprecedented need, the most disturbing of which is the need for food. While we’re glad that we’re able to serve so many people in need, they should not have to choose between paying their rent and feeding themselves and their families” Allen-Watson added.
This is one reason why The Mission launched its food truck program. Beginning in September 2020 with one truck and five stops serving 500 meals per week, it now has two trucks which deliver over 11,500 meals per week at 41 community partner locations. This program is supported entirely by donations.
“Years ago, only people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness would come to us for a Thanksgiving meal. Now, we see so many people who would never have come to us before now turning to us for help, including seniors, families, low-income working people, students, and others,” Ottawa Mission CEO Peter Tilley noted.
“Food insecurity has risen from one in seven to now one in four households. Poverty, homelessness and food insecurity are serious public health issues. We at The Ottawa Mission are doing our part to address shocking increases in hunger and keep vulnerable people healthy through our meal program. Now more than ever, our team of staff, volunteers and service partners supported by our donors are working harder than ever to meet the increasing need in our community. We need real solutions to hunger in our community, including more affordable housing, which is a primary driver of food insecurity,” Tilley concluded.
About The Ottawa Mission
Since 1906, The Ottawa Mission has been serving the homeless, the hungry and the lost by providing food, clothing, shelter and skills. In 2024-2025, The Ottawa Mission provided emergency shelter to an average of 187 men every night and served an average of 3,312 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 a new housing department.
FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Aileen Leo
Director of Communications
T 613.234.1144 x 305
C 613.712.3092
aleo@ottawamission.com