The Ottawa Mission held its Easter dinner for people who are suffering with food insecurity in the city, serving up a record number of meals on Monday.
The Mission reported it served a total of 17,601 meals during its annual feast and the week leading up to the holiday.
The shelter says it’s only slightly below its all-time high of 17,789 special Christmas meals last year. In 2024, the Mission served 17,405 Easter meals.
The event is held in response to growing food insecurity in Ottawa, with demand increasing every year, the Mission says.
Jordan Archambault moved to Ottawa from Pembroke for a new start after suffering from addiction. He says he’s grateful to the Mission for the services it provides.
“I struggled with addiction over there. Coming here, there’s programing where they help you to get clean. I’ve been in the program, and it changed my life around. The food here is amazing. The staff’s amazing,” said Archambault.
“It feels like being right at home.”
Mission CEO Peter Tilley says it’s one of his favourite events of the year.
Tilley says since the shelter’s founding days, the dinner has been a tradition that’s carried on. The Mission brings together 150 volunteers who are proud and happy to serve people, he said.
“Not only do we provide a fabulous meal, thanks to Chef Rick and the kitchen team, but we also provide a sense of hospitality, belonging and a place for people to be a sense of community on Easter,” Tilley said.
Head chef Rick Watson says the team has been working all week and he is happy to be a part of this initiative for every special dinner.
“We all know with the prices in the grocery store that people can’t afford to put an Easter dinner on the table, so we’re glad that we’re able to help,” said Watson, “We’ve cooked over 800 turkeys to make this meal happen, so it’s amazing.”
Liza Morris says she relies on The Ottawa Mission 365 days a year for three meals a day. She says it’s a staple in the community and is well organized.
“Being on ODSP, paying rent or market rent, people have to come here nowadays. That’s the way life is now, and it seems to be getting worse,” Morris said.
“This is a reliable source to come to. I tip my hat to it very much. The staff is wonderful.”
The Ottawa Mission has been helping the homeless, the hungry and the lost with food, clothing and shelter since 1906.
