CBC: The Ottawa Mission facing ‘unprecedented demand’

The Ottawa Mission is grappling with a staggering increase in demand for its services, a spike it says is driven by a toxic drug supply, a severe lack of affordable housing and a rising number of newcomers seeking support, according to its annual report released Thursday.

In 2023, the charity reported over 1.1 million meals served, a dramatic rise from the 500,000 meals served annually before the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization also increased its food service capacity over that time.