On Saturday, December 14, OC Transpo and Loblaws will come together for the 40th Annual OC Transpo/Loblaw Holiday Food Drive to support food programs across Ottawa.
The past few years have been challenging for many in our community, and this year is no exception. With 23 percent of people in Canada and one in four households in Ottawa struggling to afford enough to eat, your support is more crucial than ever.
This year, the need is even more pressing. The ongoing Canada Post mail strike, now in its 26th day with no resolution in sight, is impacting charities across the country that assist low-income Canadians. As the disruption in mail delivery hinders donations, many organizations face shortfalls just as the demand for their services grows.
The food drive will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at participating Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, Your Independent Grocer, and No Frills locations across Ottawa. Click here to find a participating store near you.
While shopping, please consider adding an item to your cart to donate to the Ottawa Food Bank. Non-perishable food items can be placed in the Ottawa Food Bank cage bins at participating stores.
You can also make a monetary donation at the cash register of participating stores. These contributions go beyond providing non-perishables—they help supply fresh and nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, bread, dairy, and eggs to individuals and families accessing food banks in our city. Prefer to donate from home? Visit the Ottawa Food Bank’s donation page to contribute online.
Additionally, you can support by donating directly to the Salvation Army, which also plays a crucial role in helping vulnerable Canadians. Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or visit https://salvationarmy/donations/ to donate.
This holiday season, let’s unite to help our community overcome these challenges and ensure no one is left behind.
Photo: by Jerimi Jones, courtesy the Salvation Army
