Get Food

Where we operate

The Centretown Community Food Centre serves people living in the Centretown area bordered by Wellington Street to the north, Billings Bridge to the south, Lyon St. to the west and Main Street, including Lees Avenue, to the east.

Click here to see if you are located in the catchment area

Location:
370 Catherine Street
City of Ottawa Community Service Hub.

Who we serve

The Centretown Community Food Centre is here to help anyone in the catchment area who is experiencing food insecurity. You are welcome to visit the Centre if you live downtown in the area bordered by Wellington Street to the north, Billings Bridge to the south, Lyon St. to the west and Main Street, including Lees Avenue, to the east.

What we serve

The Food Centre provides each client with a 3-to-4 day supply of groceries. The Centre is set up to allow clients to browse and select their food much like any grocery store.

When we’re open

The Food Centre is open for walk-ins on the following days/times:
Monday, noon to 3:00 pm
Tuesday, noon to 3:00 pm
Friday, noon to 3:00 pm

We are closed on all statutory holidays.

What should I bring?

Please bring proof of address and identification for everyone in your household. Proof of address is something that shows a recent date and your current address. Examples of proof of address include a bill, a bank statement, a lease, or a payment statement. Bring your own bags to carry your groceries home in.

How often can I come?

Our guideline currently limits clients to one visit per month. For a second visit in a calendar month we provide a limited emergency supply of food. There are other organizations in Centretown that offer free meals and drop-in centres – view the list below.

Free Meals and Drop-in Programs in Centretown Area

Centretown Community Food Centre

370 Catherine Street
613-232-3059
www.ccfcottawa.ca

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Friday noon to 3:00 pm
Food Offered: 3-5 day supply of groceries, both fresh and shelf-stable goods.
Accessible: Fully accessible
Demographic Restrictions: To access the service, the client has to reside within the catchment area (bordered by Lyon Ave., Wellington Street, Billings Bridge and Main Street, including Lees Avenue)
Dates the Centre is closed in 2023:
Monday, May 22
Monday, July 3
Monday, August 7
Monday, September 4
Monday, October 2
Monday, October 9
Monday, November 13
Monday, December 25
Tuesday, December 26

Dalhousie Food Cupboard

211 Bronson Avenue
613-230-3982
www.dalhousiefoodcupboard.ca

Hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:30am to 1:00pm
Food Offered: 3-5 day supply of groceries, both fresh and shelf-stable goods.
Accessibility: Fully Accessible
Demographic Restrictions: To access the service, the client has to reside within the food centre catchment area (bordered by Lyon Street and Breezehill Avenue, and between Carling Avenue and the Ottawa River)

St. Luke’s Table

760 Somerset St. W.
613-238-4193
belongottawa.ca/programs/st-lukes-table/

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday. Saturday, Sunday: 9:00 – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 – 2:30 PM
Food Offered: Prepared meals and drop-in services.
Accessible: Yes
Demographic Restrictions: None

Centre 507

507 Bank Street
613-233-5626
www.centre507.org

Hours:
Monday: 9:00am-10:30am, 5:30pm – 8:45pm
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday:
9:00am -10:30am, 12:00pm -3:30pm, 4:00pm to 8:45pm (excluding Fridays)
Tuesday: 9:00am-10:30am, 12:00pm -3:30pm, 5:30pm – 8:45pm
Sunday: 9:00am to 11:00am and 12:30pm -3:30pm
Food Offered: Prepared meals, and drop-in services.
Accessible: Take-out meals are accessible on the main level. Drop-in services on the 2nd level of Centretown United Church are not.
Demographic Restrictions: None

Knox Presbyterian Church ‘Out of the Cold’

120 Lisgar Street
613-238-4774
www.knoxottawa.ca

Hours: Saturdays from 4pm to 5pm. November through March only.
Food Offered: Prepared dinner
Accessible: Partially. The basement hall is not accessible.
Demographic Restrictions: None
Note: Program availability shifts throughout the year.

St. Peter and St. Paul’s Anglican Church
‘A Place to Go’

152 Metcalfe Street
613-235-1636
www.peterpaulottawa.com

Hours: Fridays, 7:30 to 9:30
Food Offered: Prepared dinner
Accessible: Yes
Demographic Restrictions: None

Highjinx Community House and Social Enterprise

290 Kent St
613-864-4289
highjinxottawa.com

Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 12:00PM to 5:00PM
Thursday and Saturday: 12:00PM to 6:00PM
Food Offered: Food provisions, drop-in tea/coffee, prepared meals.
Accessible: Partially. Service can be modified for those with limited mobility.
Demographic Restrictions: None

Ottawa Innercity Ministries

391 Gladstone Ave
613-237-6031
www.ottawainnercityministries.ca

Hours: Tuesdays, 1pm to 3pm
Food Offered: Groceries and food provisions
Accessible: Yes
Demographic Restrictions: None but OIM is partnered with Veterans Affairs Canada and offers additional services specifically for those who have served with the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Well

154 Somerset Street West
613-594-8861
www.the-well.ca

Hours:
Monday: 8:00 – 1:00 PM
Tuesday – Friday: 8:00 – 3:00 PM (closed on weekends)
Food Offered: Prepared meals and drop-in services.
Accessible: Yes
Demographic Restrictions: Specifically serves women and children.

Restoring Hope Ministries Haven Youth Shelter

140 Laurier Ave W
613-808-3321
www.restoringhope.ca

Hours:
Drop-in Hours:
Friday and Sunday: 9 pm to 11:30 pm
Saturday, Monday, Tuesday: 10pm to 11:30 pm
Overnight Hours:
Friday and Sunday: 9pm to 8:30 am
Saturday, Monday, Tuesday: 10 pm to 8 am
Food Offered: During drop-in hours, a prepared meal and snacks are served. For those using the overnight services, breakfast is served in the morning.
Accessibility: Fully Accessible
Demographic Restrictions: Services limited to youth between the ages of 16 to 24 years old.

Fourth Avenue Baptist Church ‘Haven Too’ Youth Shelter

109A Fourth Avenue
613-236-1804
www.fourthavebaptist.ca/haven-too

Hours:
Drop In Hours: Wednesday and Thursday: 9pm to 12 am
Overnight Hours: Wednesday and Thursday: 12 am to 9pm
Food Offered: During drop-in hours, a prepared meal and snacks are served. For those using the overnight services, breakfast is served in the morning.
Accessibility: Fully Accessible
Demographic Restrictions: Services limited to youth between the ages of 16 to 24 years old.

Operation Come Home Drop-In

150 Gloucester St
613-230-4663
www.operationcomehome.ca

Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 to 11:30
Food Offered: Fresh and shelf-stable grocery supplies and drop-in services.
Accessibility: Fully Accessible
Demographic Restrictions: Services are limited to youth between 16-25 years in age.

Ottawa Mission Food Truck
(Centretown Stops)

www.ottawamission.com/ottawa-mission-food-truck-weekly-schedule/

*This prepared meal service operates across Ottawa. Listed are the locations specific to the Centretown neighbourhood. For more information on additional locations and times, please refer to the website

Addresses	Days and Locations
Centre 507 507 Bank St.	Mondays, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Ottawa Community Housing 506 Bronson St.	1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Somerset West Community Health Clinic 55 Eccles St.	Thursdays 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Ottawa Community Housing 403 Somerset St W 12pm to 1pm	Sundays, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Centretown Community Fridges

CentreTown Pharmacy Community Fridge 326 Bank St.	Indoors Hours: Monday to Friday, 6:00AM to 6:00PM, Saturday and Sunday, 8:00AM to 4:00PM
Ottawa Community Housing 506 Bronson St.	Outdoors Hours: 24/7
Somerset West Community Health Clinic 55 Eccles St.	Indoors Hours: Monday: 8:00 – 1:00 PM Tuesday – Friday: 8:00 – 3:00 PM
Somerset West Community Health Centre Fridge 55 Eccles St.	Indoors Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 9:00AM to 4:00PM Thursday: 1:00PM to 4:00PM (Closed on weekends)