Ottawa, June 30, 2025 — Families living in Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) communities will have more support putting food on the table this summer thanks to an extraordinary community effort that wrapped up this month. On June 14, the Ottawa Summer Food Drive, coordinated by Khalsa Aid, concluded with one of the city’s largest community food drives this year. Led by students from 16 schools across the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), the campaign collected more than 90,000 pounds of food in a single day.
A significant portion of the food collected – over 30,000 pounds – was donated to the OCH Foundation. Speaking at the Ottawa Summer Food Drive’s media event, Traci Spour-Lafrance, Executive Director of the OCH Foundation, said: “What we’ve accomplished together is nothing short of extraordinary. Collecting over 90,000 pounds of food is not just a number, it’s a child who won’t go to bed hungry tonight. It’s dignity, it’s compassion, and it’s our community stepping up when it’s needed most.”
On June 24, the OCH Foundation team, alongside volunteers from Lionhearts, delivered these food supplies directly to 9 OCH communities. Neighbourhoods were chosen based on where the need is greatest. Communities with the greatest need, where many children live and families face higher levels of financial hardship, were prioritized to ensure this support reached where it was needed most. The donated food will provide the equivalent of 12,000 meals, helping families bridge the gap during the summer months when schools are closed and the one meal many children rely on each day is unavailable. For many, the extra support brings relief and stability at a critical time.
The success of this initiative was made possible by the dedication and collaboration of community partners, including Khalsa Aid, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Italfoods Ottawa, Lionhearts Inc. Ottawa, and the Ottawa Food Bank. The OCH Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to all donors, sponsors, and partners for their commitment to fighting child hunger and strengthening communities. Together, we are building a community where every child can grow, thrive, and enjoy a summer free from hunger.
See how the media covered this inspiring community effort:
👉 CBC: Summer food drive returns as food insecurity in Ottawa keeps growing
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OCH Foundation’s work in Ottawa takes place on the traditional unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe nation. As uninvited guests on this land, we acknowledge the leadership of Indigenous people from time immemorial.
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