The Ottawa Food Bank’s signature events serve two important purposes:
- To help generate monetary and food donations necessary to support our member agencies and their clients
- To engage with our dedicated and enthusiastic community!
We could not do the work we do without your support. From grocery food drives to our annual Food Sort Challenge, these Ottawa Food Bank hosted events would not exist without YOU. Thank you to our volunteers, sponsors, event partners and participants for all that you do. Check out the full line up below.
Thanks for Giving Food Drive
The Ottawa Food Bank’s Thanks For Giving Fall Food Drive takes place October 10, with volunteers collecting non-perishable food donations at participating grocery stores across the city from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is an opportunity for the community to come together and help stock local food cupboards before winter, ensuring thousands of Ottawa families can access healthy food when they need it most.
You can contribute to the food drive by dropping off non-perishable food items at the participating (Loblaws, Metro, Real Canadian Superstore, etc.) listed below. At the entrance of participating grocery stores there will be Ottawa Food Bank volunteers to collect donations.
Food Sort Challenge
On Friday, May 8, 2026, Food Sort Challenge, presented by Mondeau Bathroom and Kitchen, a division of Boone, returned! This event is a fast-paced corporate and community challenge, where teams of ten compete head-to-head to see who can sort 1,000 lbs of food the fastest!
Incredible prizes were awarded to the fastest team as well as the top fundraisers, and the most spirited group.
Fill the Plates Spring Food Drive
March 28, 2026, was our Fill the Plates Spring Food Drive!
Over 1 in 4 households experience food insecurity across Ottawa.
Many shoppers supported those in need this spring by donating non-perishable food items or funds during our Fill the Plates Spring Food Drive, happening at select grocery stores across Ottawa.
Ottawa Food Security Conference
On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the Ottawa Food Bank brought together cross-sectoral leaders, advocates, people with lived/living experience, and community supporters for a day of discussion, ideation, and inspiration – drawing from the theme of Confronting a Crisis, Securing Our Future.
Holiday Food Drive
Each November, we call on YOU and challenge workplaces, neighbourhoods, sports teams, faith communities, and other groups across Ottawa to collect funds and non-perishable food for families in need, as part of our Holiday Food Drive.
The Holiday Food Drive is a great way to bring in the holiday season, and the proceeds help the Ottawa Food Bank provide emergency food service for our community food programs and their clients well into the winter months.