Councillors feed hungry in support of Ottawa Mission

Posted Feb 9, 2012 By EMC News

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Laura Mueller

Members of city council donned aprons and hairnets to serve a roast-beef lunch at the Ottawa Mission shelter on Feb. 2. Here, Mayor Jim Watson, West Carleton-March Coun. Eli El-Chantiry and Bay Coun. Mark Taylor chop vegetables before the meal. Knoxdale-Merivale Coun. Keith Egli organized the lunch for the second year to draw attention to the needs of shelter and food banks year-round - not just at the popular giving time during the holidays. Ottawa Mission executive director, Diane Morrison, said the new tradition helps bring attention at a much-needed time and it gives clients an opportunity to have face time with city councillors and the mayor: something to which they wouldn't normally have access.

EMC News - Ottawa city councillors and Mayor Jim Watson came together to participate in the second annual "Councillors Feed the Hungry" event at The Ottawa Mission Feb. 2.

Organized by Keith Egli, councillor for Ward 9 Knoxdale-Merivale, the event included a presentation of a cheque to The Ottawa Mission on behalf of 20 Ottawa city councillors and Watson, which covered the costs of the lunch meal they helped to serve.

West Carleton-March Coun. Eli El-Chantiry, was one of the councillors who took part in the initiative.

"The event, now in its second year, serves as a reminder of just how many people in our city depend on organizations such as The Ottawa Mission," said Egli. "The impact that the dedicated staff and volunteers have on the lives of those in need in our city is truly life changing."///

In addition to providing (on average) shelter to 245 residents each night and serving an average of 1,256 meals each day, The Ottawa Mission also offers counselling, educational support, job training programs and medical and addiction treatment services.

"The generosity of donors and the support of volunteers is vital to The Ottawa Mission's capacity to help the most vulnerable," notes Egli, "Especially during this time of year when the frigid temperatures increase the demand for beds and other resources."

"The Ottawa Mission is an important part of our community and we are grateful to the staff and volunteers who, each year, help and support residents in need," said Watson. "I'm also thankful to Coun. Egli for organizing this initiative, which allows us to make a contribution and see firsthand the good work being done."

"The lunch provided today is very much appreciated by people who depend on The Mission for help," said Ottawa Mission executive director Diane Morrison.

"The Ottawa Mission is thankful for the support from Ottawa City Council as we all work to improve the quality of life for thousands of people in the community every year."

The Ottawa Mission is a non-profit, faith-based ministry that has been meeting the needs of the hungry and poor in Ottawa since its establishment in 1906. /

Founded by volunteers, today The Ottawa Mission still relies on the generous help of the community and approximately 250 individuals volunteer each and every month, averaging over 2500 volunteer hours a month.