Student-led non-profit initiative hosts free thrift event for those in need

An Ottawa man is celebrating a major — and very rare — milestone, making his 500th donation to Canadian Blood Services. You can find Bob McDougall sitting in a chair at the Canadian Blood Services donation centre on Carling Avenue every two weeks, donating plasma and platelets.

The Carney government is promising to end homelessness in Canada within a decade. The 2026 budget offers $11.2 billion to tackle homelessness over four years, starting next year, and $17.8 billion over 10 years.

The initial recipients, Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest, will each receive up to $10 million in funding to further distribute through individual applications to eligible food banks and not-for-profit community-based organizations (known as ultimate recipients) to acquire and distribute food to families in need. Eligible community-based organizations are encouraged to use the Community Support Stream Initial Recipient Finder to determine which organization best serves their geographic area and needs.