For more than 60 years, Urbandale Corporation has prided itself on giving back to the community that has supported it through growth and prosperity.
As one of Ottawa's longest established development companies, the company has three focus areas: hunger, health and homelessness.
So when Urbandale saw the great work the Ottawa Mission was doing to improve the lives of vulnerable residents, they knew this would be a great partnership. Since 2000, the organization has provided financial support, and in 2020 they became the lead sponsor of the Mission's food truck program.
“The moment we walked through the doors of the Mission, we were blown away by their hospitality and their care,” said Lawrence Weinstein, executive director of the Urbandale Corporation. “The way they house people, feed them, work with their clients and train them to work in the community is just phenomenal.”
A lasting legacy
Urbandale Corporation was founded in 1958 by Lion Sachs and Herb Nadolny, who met as children at York Street Public School.
Herb was an accountant and Lyon was an engineer. They loved talking about work and decided to go into business together. Richard Sachs, the co-founder's son, said the partnership worked from day one.
“Whenever one made a decision, the other supported it. They had a reputation as people you could do business with on a handshake,” Sachs said.
At one time, Urbandale was the largest builder of Ottawa community housing projects.
“We're focused on building community, not just development,” Urbandale Corporation President Terry Nichols said.
It's that enthusiasm that aligned so well with the Ottawa Mission's food truck program.
“The Mission provides homes for people, whether it's something we build or something someone else builds, we believe everyone needs a roof over their head,” Nichols said, “and we also believe hunger is an important issue because a lot of people need food.”
“Everything you put into the Ottawa Mission comes back to you tenfold. [and] “If your community supports you, you have an obligation to give back. It's a circular effect,” Weinstein and Sacks say. “You have no choice!”
Combating food insecurity
Despite the Ottawa Mission's location in the heart of downtown, food insecurity is a city-wide issue.
An estimated 8.7 million Canadians are food insecure across the country, a number that is only growing due to high housing costs, rising food prices and a low minimum wage. Families are forced to choose between having a place to live and putting food on the table.
The Mission has seen a huge increase in its population over the last year as affordable housing continues to be scarce and asylum seekers arrive in search of a better life in Canada without adequate government assistance. As a result, the facility is operating at more than 100 percent capacity, with clients sleeping on chairs or mats on the floor while waiting for a bed.
The Urbandale Corporation-supported food truck program operates in various neighborhoods across the city. Launched as a response to the pandemic to deliver hot, nutritious meals to those struggling during the pandemic, the program has now become a go-to for many individuals and families struggling with food insecurity.
“The need out there is astronomical,” said Chef Rick Allen Watson, the Mission's director of food services. “I've been with the Ottawa Mission for 22 years and I've never seen the world or our community in such a bad state. People are hungry.”
The Ottawa Mission's food truck program is currently a vital resource for people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in Ottawa. Check out the food truck website to see where the food truck is helping your community.
The Ottawa Mission would like to thank Urbandale Corporation, RBC Foundation, Giant Tiger and the Taggart Parks Foundation for their ongoing support of this important program.
Help alleviate hunger in your neighborhood by donating to your local stop: $500 supports 100 meals, while $3,500 supports one food truck's entire route.
For more information or to request information on how to get involved in the program, please contact Kimberley Banks at kbanks@ottawamission.com.