Community and Family Services - The Salvation Army Ottawa

Salvation Army officer gives bag of groceries to young woman

The Salvation Army has been meeting the needs of the most vulnerable in our community for over 100 years, providing emergency assistance and ongoing support to individuals and families.

While traditionally this has included such things as emergency groceries as well as vouchers for clothing and household supplies, The Salvation Army continues to innovate and evolve to meet the changing needs of those in our community. Our Community and Family Services programs not only meet the emergency needs of those in our community but also provide assistance in supporting the effective and long-lasting change that the people we serve are looking for.

Salvation Army employee with a box of food in a food bank

Emergency Assistance

The Salvation Army provides emergency assistance to families and individuals with groceries and clothing/household vouchers, and we can also help with emergency transportation.

Please contact any of our locations in the Ottawa Region, including the Ottawa Booth Centre, Bethany Hope Centre and Ottawa Citadel Church. After-hours support is available through the Ottawa Booth Centre’s front desk by calling (613) 241-1573.

Community Meals

Community Meals are offered every day of the year at The Salvation Army Ottawa Booth Centre for both breakfast (8:00 am) and mid-afternoon (3:00 pm) meals to anyone who is hungry, including men, women, youth and children.

Providing more than 16,500 meals every month, nearly 600 people from the community also join us for our Annual Community Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas Dinners where we are all able to celebrate these seasonal events together.

Salvation Army employee serving meals in a meal line

Ontario Low Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

LEAP emergency financial assistance is available for low-income energy consumers who are facing disconnection of essential utilities as a result of arrears. The Salvation Army, in partnership with the Ontario Energy Board, will consider factors such as income and the number of family members in your household in order to determine your eligibility for assistance. Qualifying consumers can receive up to $500 in emergency financial assistance ($600 if your home is heated electrically), which is paid directly to the utility company.

Please note that this service is only available for those consumers behind on their energy payments, and can only be used in emergencies. It is not meant to serve as ongoing financial support.

For more information about LEAP, please contact the Ottawa Booth Centre by calling (613) 241-1573.

MoneyWise

MoneyWise is a money management program designed to help singles and families gain stability in housing and financial affairs through coaching, trusteeship, and support. The program works with the recipients of social benefits, pensions and/or wages in order to manage money and decrease the risk of homelessness.

MoneyWise assists when bills are piling up, and teaches clients how to budget their money more effectively.

For more information about MoneyWise, please contact the Ottawa Booth Centre by calling (613) 241-1573.

Salvation Army Summer Camps

The Salvation Army Ontario Camping Ministries operates a Christian summer camp for children and youth as well as a year round retreat centre for group rentals. Jackson’s Point Camp and retreat centre is located on the shores of Lake Simcoe, one hour north of Toronto. Newport Adventure Camp in located in the heart of Muskoka on beautiful Skeleton Lake.

Camp is an experience like no other in which young peoples’ lives and outlook can change forever. At camp, children get to try new experiences, make new friends, learn team and leadership skills which can benefit them throughout their lives.

In our world of technology, camp is a place where young people can be kids again and learn to do those things that kids should love to do, be it swimming in the lake, hiking in the woods, mountain biking, canoeing, climbing, sports and wacky games.

The Salvation Army Ottawa Booth Centre Community and Family Services provides financial assistance so that children can enjoy a week long summer camp experience.

For more information about The Salvation Army’s Ontario Camping Ministries, visit their website at ilovecamp.ca or contact the Ottawa Booth Centre at (613) 241-1573.