Out of the Cold (Centre 120)

Community Meals with our Out of the Cold ministry are available at Knox every Saturday afternoon from November through April.   

• Meals will be served from 4 to 5 pm. 
• Doors will open each week at 3:30 pm
• All guests are invited to join us in Ioan Hall for indoor-dining.   
• As available, take-out meals will be distributed after 5 pm. 

The Out of the Cold (Centre 120) program was initiated by Knox Presbyterian Church in 1995. The purpose of the program is to invite neighbours in need from our community to a hot meal each Saturday night during the cold months from November until April.  Anywhere between 80 and 150 people are served each week.  

 The program involves volunteers who come from within the congregation, other area communities of faith, through the Centretown Community Association, and the wider Ottawa community. Our funds come from donations by Knox members and other churches, organizations, retailers and generous individuals, supplemented with fundraising events.

When the COVID19 pandemic began in March 2020, the program pivoted to a take-out format and extended into the Spring and Summer months of 2020, 2021, and 2022, complying with all health and safety protocols.  Guest numbers and food costs increased while fundraising events were stalled.  Thankfully, many of our usual donations continued and significant further support also came from new donors, including individuals, churches and local retailers.  In December 2020 we were also very pleased to receive a grant from the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund.  

For the 2022-23 season, we operated the program in a hybrid format, offering guests the option of indoor dining or take-out meals.   The ratio between indoor and take-out guests was approximately 50-50 throughout the 2022-23 season, which was also extended, though only to the end of April.   

In the Fall of 2023, OOTC entered its 29th year, and with the support of so many, we were able to continue with our objective of serving meals to our neighbours in need.

Check out our 25th Anniversary OOTC Video by clicking HERE

For more detailed information about the program and volunteering, check either or both of the downloadable documents below.   

If you are interested in volunteering, call the Church Office at 613-238-4774 or email  volunteer.knoxottawa@gmail.com.

To make a donation toward Out of the Cold at Knox, click the button below and select the Out of the Cold fund. A tax receipt will be issued for your donation.