About Us

The Parkdale Food Centre is part of the Ottawa Food Bank’s distribution network. It serves the Hintonburg, Mechanicsville, Civic Hospital and Wellington West neighbourhoods. It is a not-for-profit, volunteer- run organization that provides emergency food aid to individuals and families in need. The Centre is funded in part by the City of Ottawa and local churches, with additional donations provided by individuals and local businesses. The Centre is currently experiencing a budget shortfall so is in the midst of a fundraising drive to support its 2014 programs.

Parkdale Food Centre – Who We Are (PDF)

Our Mission
At the Parkdale Food Centre, our mission is to provide healthy food, nutritional education and a warm and welcoming environment to our neighbors in need.

Our Values
Our Board Members, staff, local partners and volunteers share a commitment to building community through healthy food, education and friendship:

We are kind- Kindness is the cornerstone of what we do. Our team is made up of people who care for their community and who give their energy and effort to help reduce the stress and worry for neighbours who may be experiencing a difficult time in their lives.

We are cheerful- We know that people visiting the Centre are often under enormous stress. Our staff and volunteers are focused on creating a welcoming, stress- free and fun environment where people can forget their worries for a few hours, find support and a sense of community.

We are supportive – Our volunteers are knowledgeable, helpful and empathetic. During your visit, we aim to provide useful information, practical support, and education. While providing emergency food aid is our primary focus, we also offer access to donated clothing and regular health information enabling you to make the most of your time at the Centre.

We are welcoming- Whether it’s a pot of freshly brewed coffee, a tray of baked goods, a friendly smile or a supportive ear, the team at the Parkdale Food Centre is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive and welcoming environment for those who need some help.

We respect confidentiality- When you walk through the doors of the Centre, you will find a team who respects you and your privacy. There is no judgment, no probing questions- just a safe place where you will be greeted warmly by a team who wants to help.

Board
The Board of Directors of the Parkdale Food Centre is composed entirely of volunteers.
The 2014 Chair of the Board is Don Flynn. Learn more about our Board.

Supporters
The Parkdale Food Centre is very grateful to the many organizations and individuals who support us with food donations and financial contributions.