About Us

The Ottawa Food Bank provides fresh and non-perishable food, as well as supplies such as diapers, toiletries, and cleaning supplies to its network of over 100 food programs across the city.

VISION

Healthy, accessible, sustainable food for all.

MISSION

We work in partnership to create a healthier city by empowering people, increasing access to healthy food, and advocating for systemic changes that reduce food insecurity.​

With our main goal being to work in partnership to provide food relief to people in our city, we are also working towards doing food banking better and making change. We are doing this by focusing on four areas:

Improving access
to healthy food

Growing capacity and resilience in our food bank network

Cultivate social innovation in food banking

Participate in advocacy and social change

OUR VALUES

Collaboration

Commitment

Compassion

Inclusion

Innovation

Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity Statement

At the Ottawa Food Bank, we believe that everyone, regardless of any aspect of race, gender, age, religion, identity, disability, or lived experience deserves access to healthy, culturally appropriate food.

We believe that food is a human right, and we are dedicated to ensuring that it is accessible to all.

Although food insecurity affects people from all walks of life, it disproportionately impacts equity deserving groups, such as racialized and Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, and people in the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

As we work toward our north star goal of ending chronic food insecurity in Ottawa by 2050, we are committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do.

Achieving true equity and inclusion requires ongoing dedication and effort. We are committed to continually educating ourselves, adapting our practices, and holding ourselves accountable.

We uphold this commitment by:

  • Ensuring that our employment and volunteering opportunities are accessible to everyone. Our work environment will ensure respect for everyone.
  • Ensuring that the food we provide reflects the diversity of the Ottawa Food Bank network and the communities they serve.
  • Ensure our ethical giving guidelines do not discourage donations based on race, gender, age, religion, identity, or disability.
  • Ensuring that all community engagement is done in a respectful and inclusive manner.

Board of Directors

Beth Ciavaglia
Executive Director
Parkdale Food Centre

Brian Harrigan
Chief Executive Officer
Social Impact International

Chef Ric Allen-Watson
Director of Food Services
The Ottawa Mission

Ferenaz Raheem
Senior Environmental Planner
Stantec

Jeff Bell
Chief Financial Officer
AtkinsRéalis

John Ariyo
Executive Director
Scarborough Charter Secretariat

Kat Hamilton
Director, Advocacy and Campaigns
CNIB

Lisa Fabian
Executive Director
Care Centre Ottawa

Marilyn Matheson
Executive Director
Harmony House

Matthew Blostein
Wealth Advisor, Associate Portfolio Manager
CIBC 

Steve Mennill
SVP and Chief Climate Officer
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Timothy Cullen
Partner, Litigation and Dispute Resolution
McMillan LLP

Trevor Whike
President
TALOH Solutions Inc.

Our Leadership Team

 

The Ottawa Food Bank is driven by dedicated, diverse leaders and their exceptional teams.

Looking to get in touch with us? Visit our Contact Us page

Chief Executive Officer

Rachael Wilson

Director, People and Culture

Martin Hajek

Director, Operations

Drew Conroy

Director, Finance and Administration

Francine Rukundo

Director, Communications and Development

Tricia Johnson

Director, Programs and Planning

Natalie Spooner

We are a Proud Member of

We are a Proud Affiliate Member of

of fresh produce grown
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