Dear Friend,

This March, we look back on the 2025 holiday season with deep gratitude for everyone who helped sustain Belong Ottawa through one of the most challenging times of the year. As temperatures dropped and more people sought warmth, safety, and community, we were reminded—again—of the profound hardship so many of our neighbours face every single day. The pain of poverty, the instability of homelessness, and the daily struggle to meet basic needs remain a reality for far too many people in Ottawa.

Between June 2025 and the end of February 2026, Belong Ottawa has served 142,265 meals, and the need continues to grow. Every week, more people walk through our doors hungry, exhausted, and looking for a place where they will be treated with respect. Your generosity makes it possible for us to greet them with compassion, nourishment, and offer a sense of belonging.

This remarkable number of meals reflects the dedication of our staff and volunteers, and your commitment to ensuring no one in our community is left behind. Together, we have built spaces where people are welcomed without judgment and supported with care—places where hope is restored one meal, one conversation, and one act of kindness at a time.

As you read this newsletter, you will learn of the tangible, life‑changing impact your support has already made—and the vital work that continues every day. Please give special attention to this edition’s urgent request for support so Belong Ottawa’s critical services may continue without interruption. The need is escalating, as are our efforts and resolve to continue this life‑sustaining work.

Thank you for helping build a community where everyone belongs. With your ongoing support, we will continue to ensure those facing hunger, homelessness, and hardship are met with the attention and connection they deserve.

Shauna-marie Young

Executive Director

Holiday Recap!

Belong Ottawa celebrated the holidays with warmth, dignity, and community at Centre 454, St Luke’s Table, and The Well. Thanks to your generosity, each gathering was more than a festive meal shared—they evolved into moments of comfort and joy for people who often face the season alone. Hearts were filled and plates overflowed as festive meals of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, and sweet desserts were enjoyed. After finishing his meal, one participant shared… “Wow… it’s just like Mom used to make.” In that simple moment, you helped someone feel remembered, valued, and at home.

We were also deeply grateful for the generosity of the parishioners of St. James Anglican Church in Manotick, whose donations provided brand‑new backpacks and delivered joy and relief to participants. Backpacks are one of the most requested items, yet often out of reach for those living in poverty or homelessness. Watching participants proudly fill their new bags with take‑home meals, treats, and small gifts was a powerful reminder of how the simplest items can restore dignity and hope.

These moments are only possible because of you! As the need in our city continues to grow, your support remains essential to ensuring our participants are supported every step of the way.

Open for the Holidays!



This past December, Belong Ottawa remained open Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. Participants expressed deep gratitude for having access to our programs during a time of year that can feel especially difficult, describing our spaces as a true home. With many public spaces closed for the holidays, remaining open was essential for providing safety, warmth, and much‑needed support.

Black History Month 

February is Black History Month, and members of our team marked the occasion by preparing and serving special meals from their cultures. Kitchen Assistant Dinah celebrated Jamaica with jerk chicken, rice and beans, and potato salad. Social Support Worker Jess and her father Gerald prepared Haitian Macaroni Au Gratin, plantains, and chicken wings. Kitchen Assistant Friday shared a Nigerian meal of jollof rice, chicken wings, and egusi stew. Participants were thrilled with the cultural culinary offerings, and excited to taste the variety of foods.

At Belong Ottawa, we are grateful for the rich diversity within our team and community. These meals offered nourishment, connection, culture, and celebration.

RCMP Adopt-a-Charity Program



Belong Ottawa was honoured to be chosen as the RCMP’s recipient for their Adopt‑a‑Charity Program. Members of their team collected boxes (and boxes!) of toiletries and warm winter items, then made special visits to each of our program locations to deliver their donations—playing Santa along the way.

Their generosity brought comfort, care, and a sense of joy to our participants during a crucial time of year. Thank you RCMP!

Belanger Financial

This past holiday season, Belanger Financial selected Belong Ottawa as their charity of choice for a matching campaign. Every donation made by Belanger Financial customers between December 1 and 19 was matched by the company and used to purchase essential supplies from our wish list. Emilie and Tim Belanger visited Belong Ottawa to deliver these much‑needed items and to learn more about the impact of their support.

Thank you to everyone at Belanger Financial, and to all who contributed, for helping ensure our participant community members received the supports needed this season.

The Paul Weber Band presents: 200 Years of Ottawa and Bytown

On February 7, the Paul Weber Band took the stage at St. Alban’s Anglican Church to celebrate 200 years of Ottawa and Bytown, while raising funds in support of Belong Ottawa’s Centre 454.

The evening featured whimsical musical storytelling that brought the area’s history to life, weaving together humour, local lore, and heartfelt performances. Guests enjoyed an engaging and lively show, all in support of essential services for Belong Ottawa. 

Thank you to St Alban’s, Mary-Martha Hale, and the Paul Weber Band!

To learn more about the Paul Weber Band, visit their website at https://www.paulweber.ca/

New Laundry Machines at Centre 454!

At Centre 454, we recently said goodbye to our well‑used laundry machines and welcomed new industrial washers and dryers. This important upgrade was made possible through your support and a generous gift from one of our dedicated volunteers. With these new machines, the program now has the capacity to complete up to 21 loads of laundry each day!

Clean clothing and linens are essential for dignity, comfort, and well‑being, and this improvement ensures participants can continue to access this vital service with reliability and ease.

We need your help...

Refrigerator Failure = Food Security at Risk

With more than 600 meals served every single day across Belong Ottawa, safe and reliable food storage is just as important as the meals served. Recently, the walk‑in refrigerator at The Well failed—an unexpected breakdown that threatens our ability to store fresh food safely. The replacement part and labour have been quoted at $22,000, an unplanned cost that places strain on already stretched resources.

This repair is essential to keeping our kitchens safe and operational so hundreds of people can continue relying on us for nutritious meals every day.



Please watch for an email in the coming days with full details about this urgent need. In the meantime, we are asking for your support today to help fund this essential repair, so our meal programs remain safe, stable, and dependable for everyone who relies on them.

Donations may be dropped off at:

Belong Ottawa - The Well

154 Somerset St W Ottawa, ON

Monday - Sunday from 8:00am to 1:30pm

Make your donation online by clicking here.

Your contribution will directly support Belong Ottawa's programs and services. 

We thank our community of funders, the City of Ottawa, donors, partners, volunteers, and staff for supporting our work to build safe spaces that connect people and create community.