Covid-19 Update, March 27,2020

With the wellbeing of our staff as well as our clients in mind, the Centretown Emergency Food Centre has decided to limit its hours of operation to Mondays and Fridays, from 12:00 (noon) until 1:00 p.m., starting Monday, March 30.

Our food service has been relocated to the main floor of Centretown United Church. Clients access our program from the same entrance that they already use. The new location will reduce the number of clients congregating together in an enclosed area, and help avoid the spread of infection. 

As well, we have switched to pre-packaged food to serve clients as best we can with our limited resources. Our staff are serving clients, and our volunteers are limited to working in the Pantry to prepare the bags of food and to minimize contact with others.

This will allow us to continue to assist our clients until the threat of transmission is no longer an issue.   Please remember:

  • The risk of novel corona virus - COVID-19 - in Ottawa is now rising.
  • We continue to monitor the situation and follow the advice of Public Health Agencies in Ottawa, Ontario and in the Government of Canada
  • Clients who have symptoms (fever, dry cough, trouble breathing) should call 211 or the Ottawa Food Bank (613-745-7001) to discuss options.
  • We encourage everyone to maintain social distance, and to wash hands, well and frequently.
  • We continue to sanitize our space carefully, and are making hand sanitizer available.
  • We encourage staff, volunteers and clients to stay home if they present symptoms (fever, dry cough, trouble breathing).

ABOUT US

The Food Centre, located at 507 Bank Street in the basement of Centretown United Church, serves clients four days a week. Our full-time Coordinator directs the operation of the Food Centre with the help of dedicated teams of volunteers who stock shelves and package food in the mornings and others who serve clients in the afternoon.

The Food Centre’s mandate is to serve those in need in the Centretown area bordered by Wellington Street on the north, Billings Bridge to the south, Lyon Street to the west and Main Street, including Lees Avenue, to the east. While the nature of our clientele has shifted over the years as the demographics of our catchment area have changed, demand for food from people living on social assistance, with disabilities and on low-income jobs has remained throughout the years and, in recent years, has started to grow again. In particular, the Centre now serves a higher number of children due to the recent increase in amount of subsidized housing available for families in Centretown.