Food insecurity in Ottawa continues to be a tough reality for many people. All community food banks have concerns with the increased number of people accessing their service and the dwindling supply of food available. The Centretown Community Food Centre (CCFC), located at 370 Catherine Street, is no exception. CCFC’s purpose is to help their neighbours in need. For the past few months, more than 1500 people, including a large number of children, have been served by the Centre’s friendly staff and volunteers.
Centretown Churches Social Action Committee (CCSAC) is a collective of 22 churches in downtown Ottawa. Since 1978, CCSAC’s main project has been oversight of the CCFC. The new location for the Centre is accessible and a welcoming place for everyone.
CCSAC’s main fundraising event is the annual Walk for the Centre. This year’s Walk will be held on Sunday, Oct. 6. Arrive early (at 1 pm) to enjoy the festivities at the Jean Pigott Place at Ottawa City Hall. There will be terrific music from a Barbershop quartet and guest speakers including Ariel Troster, city councillor for Somerset Ward. Pipers from the Sons of Scotland piper band will lead the walkers out the doors of City Hall as the official opening of Walk begins at 2 pm. The two to four km walk is along the picturesque Rideau Canal Western pathway from Confederation Park to the Pretoria Bridge.
Local businesses sponsor the walk with generous donations and prizes. We will be encouraging participants to submit photos for the photo contest, so keep your cameras and phones ready!
We ask for your support of this worthwhile and necessary fundraiser for the CCFC. Online donations can be made at
www.centretownchurches.org/walkathon Alternatively, donations can be made by cheque (made payable to CCSAC) at the registration desk on Oct. 6 or mailed directly to CCSAC at 507 Bank Street, Ottawa K2P 1Z5. Receipts will be issued for donations over $20.
Looking forward to seeing you! — Elizabeth Kent
St. John, Antrim — Deanery of the Southwest