Free help in Ottawa

Mondays 10 am to 3 pm (Nov 16, 23)

Centre 507 outreach and harm reduction help at Main library

Outreach workers offer harm reduction supplies including naloxone kits, plus referrals to health and social services.

Main branch, Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe St, Ottawa, ON · Adults

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Daily: breakfast 7 to 8 am, lunch 11 am to 12:30 pm, dinner 4 to 5:30 pm; drop-in meal 6 to 9 pm

Daily meals at Shepherds of Good Hope Community Kitchen

Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the year, plus a drop-in centre where staff and social workers can help.

Richcraft Hope Centre, Shepherds of Good Hope, 216 Murray St, Ottawa, ON · People experiencing homelessness or in need; all are welcome

Checked Nov 15 · Shepherds of Good Hope

Each community food bank sets its own hours

Find your local food bank with the Ottawa Food Bank lookup

Enter your address or postal code to find the community food bank that serves you. Most give 3 to 5 days of food, including fresh and frozen, once a month.

Ottawa Food Bank network (online lookup) · Ottawa residents in need, including people with no fixed address

The catch: Your food bank is set by your address; visits are limited (usually once a month)

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Food Bank

Lunch Tue and Thu 12 to 2 pm; breakfast 3rd Wed and Thu 9 to 11 am (Nov 18 and 19)

Free community lunches at Parkdale Food Centre

Sit-down lunch every Tuesday and Thursday, plus breakfast on the third Wednesday and Thursday of the month. Open to anyone.

Parkdale Food Centre, 30 Rosemount Ave, Unit 2, Ottawa, ON · Anyone, no catchment

The catch: First come, first served; no reservations

Checked Nov 15 · Parkdale Food Centre

Daily: breakfast 8 to 8:30 am, lunch 11:20 am to 12 pm, dinner 3 to 3:30 pm

Free daily meals at the Ottawa Mission

Community breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Mission's dining room every day. You don't need to stay at the shelter.

The Ottawa Mission, 35 Waller St, Ottawa, ON · Everyone

Checked Nov 15 · The Ottawa Mission

By appointment: Mon to Wed and Fri 8:30 am to 12 pm and 1 to 4:30 pm, Thu 8:30 am to 12 pm

Free legal help for low-income Ottawa residents

Community Legal Services of Ottawa helps with housing, work, income assistance, immigration, refugee and disability law. Phone interpreters in over 200 languages.

Community Legal Services of Ottawa, West office (also Downtown and South), 1299 Richmond Rd, Ottawa, ON K2B 7Y4 · Ottawa residents with low income (people on OW, ODSP, OAS with GIS and some others qualify automatically)

The catch: Call 613-733-0140 to book before visiting; income limits apply

Checked Nov 15 · Community Legal Services of Ottawa

Tuesdays 2 to 3 pm (Nov 17, 24)

Free tech help drop-in at Main library

Staff answer basic questions about computers, phones, programs and apps. Computer lab, 3rd floor.

Main branch, Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe St, Ottawa, ON · Adults

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

JFS Ottawa Wed 12 to 8 pm and Sun 12 to 5 pm; other sites Tue to Sat (e.g. Family Services Ottawa, 312 Parkdale Ave, Tue 12 to 8 pm, Sat 12 to 5 pm)

Free walk-in counselling sessions at clinics across Ottawa

One free counselling session with no appointment or referral, at several community agencies. You can also book a session ahead online.

Walk-In Counselling Clinic at JFS Ottawa (other sites too), 301-2255 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON · Anyone: individuals, couples and families

The catch: Last walk-in is about 90 minutes before closing

Checked Nov 15 · Walk-In Counselling Clinic and Counselling Connect

Mondays 10 am to noon (Nov 16, 23)

Job search help drop-in at Nepean Centrepointe library

Meet one-on-one with an employment counsellor from Pinecrest-Queensway Employment Services.

Nepean Centrepointe branch, Ottawa Public Library, 101 Centrepointe Dr, Nepean, ON · Job seekers

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Wednesdays 4:30 to 5:30 pm (Nov 18, 25)

Newcomer settlement help at Elmvale Acres library

OMRA offers free weekly drop-in help for newcomers: résumés, job search, forms and referrals.

Elmvale Acres branch, Ottawa Public Library, 1910 Saint Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON · Newcomers to Canada

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Mon Nov 23, 3 to 5 pm

Newcomer support drop-in at Nepean Centrepointe library

New to Canada? Meet a settlement youth outreach worker from Jewish Family Services. Aimed at youth, all welcome.

Nepean Centrepointe branch, Ottawa Public Library, 101 Centrepointe Dr, Nepean, ON · Newcomers (youth focus, all welcome)

Checked Nov 15 · Ottawa Public Library

Drop-in Tue and Wed 5 to 6:15 pm, Thu 10:30 am to 12:15 pm and 1 to 3 pm; appointments Tue and Wed daytime

Parkdale Food Centre grocery program (Mino'Weesini)

Households in the Parkdale catchment get 4 days' worth of food each month, by appointment or at drop-in times.

Mino'Weesini, Parkdale Food Centre, 5 Hamilton Ave N, Ottawa, ON · Households in Parkdale Food Centre's catchment area (check by postal code on its site)

The catch: Catchment only; once a month; book online or come at drop-in times

Checked Nov 15 · Parkdale Food Centre

Wed 1 to 5 pm, Fri 9 am to 1 pm, by appointment

Rideau-Rockcliffe community food bank, by appointment

Monthly groceries for households in K1K and K1M, plus a baby cupboard. Bring at least 4 bags.

Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre, 815 St-Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON K1K 3A7 · Residents of postal codes K1K and K1M (some K1G)

The catch: Appointment only, once per calendar month. Bring photo ID for each household member and proof of address from the last 3 months. Book online or call (613) 745-0073 ext. 2060 or 2070.

Checked Nov 15 · Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre

Mon to Fri: sandwiches 9:30 am to 12 pm, dinner 5 to 6 pm

St. Joe's Supper Table: free weekday dinners in Sandy Hill

Homemade hot dinner in take-away containers on weeknights, and bagged sandwiches in the mornings.

St. Joe's Supper Table, St. Joseph's Parish, 151 Laurier Ave E, Ottawa, ON · Anyone in need

Checked Nov 15 · St. Joseph's Parish