Community Thanksgiving meals in Ottawa on pandemic pause for a second straight year
It's a weekend of celebrations for many in the capital, an opportunity to gather again with friends and family, but for Ottawa's most vulnerable the COVID-19 pandemic is still pausing community meals and celebrations.
"It's just not the same sense of community and for those in this community at this time of year who are suffering, who are lonely that was always the piece we brought when we do the meal inside," said Peter Tilley, CEO of the Ottawa Mission.
At the Mission, its highly anticipated Thanksgiving get together is on hold for a second year in a row. Instead, Thanksgiving meals will be handed out to go. Thousands are still expected to lineup outside the Ottawa Mission between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday.
"We'll make the best of it, we'll have some fun and people will still at least get a warm turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Monday," said Tilley.
Other community and shelter dinners have also been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Salvation Army's gathering is limited to residents only, with the shelter handing out some Thanksgiving meal packages earlier in the week.
"We're airing on the side of caution and not doing a community meal. The meal we're doing is strictly for the people staying with us so it will be a quiet affair," said Marc Provost, CEO of the Salvation Army's Ottawa Booth Centre.
This comes as the need for services of this sort across the city is soaring. Pandemic struggles and sky-high food prices are taking a toll.
The Ottawa Mission says its food truck is busier than ever.
"Within six months it grew to 19 different communities and close to 3,000 meals a month now that we're providing. That to me is just a sign of things that are out there," said Tilley.
Devon Jesse is one of those in need. He's been left jobless several times during the pandemic, finding himself relying on shelters.
"This is one of the main places that I go to sort of to find a piece of heart, because sometimes you just don't know where to go to," said Jesse.
So while at the Ottawa Mission, those who need it will still get a hot meal this holiday season -- missing still is the sought-after sense of community.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.