The community kitchen run by the Parkdale Food Centre is usually pretty busy, with up to 150 people dropping in for a hot breakfast or lunch, depending on the weekday.

And yet, amid the daily rush, community advocacy coordinator Carissa Davis always makes time to prepare a cup of herbal tea, served in a delicate china cup, at the request of one of their regulars. Her name is Mary. She’s a senior and recent cancer survivor. The Parkdale Food Centre (PFC) is the closest thing she has to family.

That Davis, despite her long list of responsibilities, pauses to brew tea for Mary speaks to the sense of community and connection at PFC, a local charity created in the urban neighbourhood of Hintonburg in 1984 to address the pressing issue of food insecurity among underserved populations.

“The reason I do it is, that used to be me; I used to be someone who was coming through those doors,” said Davis in an interview. “ I used to drink from that cup of tea that I now get to serve.

“It’s a blessing to be in that position.”

Davis spoke to a crowd of 50 supporters of PFC on Thursday during a sold-out Night to Nourish benefit dinner hosted by North & Navy. The reputable Northern Italian restaurant, located on Nepean Street in Centretown, is owned by Christopher Schlesak and executive chef Adam Vettorel. The pair also own Cantina Gia in the Glebe.

The three-course meal with wine pairings and dessert was prepared by the restaurant chefs together with PFC’s Simon Bell and Anna March. Attendees first mingled outside over cocktails and a seafood bar.

From left, North & Navy executive chef and co-owner Adam Vettorel and Parkdale Food Centre chefs Simon Bell and Anna March worked together to create the Night to Nourish dinner in support of Parkdale Food Centre on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Davis spoke about “radical hospitality”, which is the practice of welcoming others with inclusivity and generosity, creating a space where people feel seen, valued and cared for regardless of their background. “How you provide it is just as important as what you provide,” said Davis.

It’s the second year in a row the restaurant has hosted the fundraiser, which last night raised roughly $20,000 for the grassroots charity. “The unwavering support has been really touching,” said PFC executive director Beth Ciavaglia before adding: “Chris, the day after last year’s event, asked ‘When are we doing it next year?’ ”

PFC board chair and lawyer Alex Wilson together with PFC board member Steve Parkes, vice president of construction for Tamarack Homes and Tartan Homes, took the lead in organizing the benefit. Also from the board was its treasurer, Ruth Bengough, a senior finance advisor with Calian Group.

Peter Nicholson, founder and president of Wealth (WCPD), and his spouse Anabel Bane hosted a number of guests, including construction legend Shirley Westeinde, luxury home realtors Marilyn Wilson and Reba Wilson, Dr. George Tawagi and Francine Belleau, Urbandale Construction owner Richard Sachs and Michelle Sachs, and mental health advocate and former TSN host Michael Landsberg.

From left, James Ciesielski, co-founder at Rewind, and Parkdale Food Centre Beth Ciavaglia, Wealth (WCPD) founder and president Peter Nicholson and his vice president of marketing and communications, Jeff Todd, at the Night to Nourish dinner in support of Parkdale Food Centre hosted by North & Navy restaurant on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Parkdale Food Centre board treasurer Ruth Bengough, senior finance advisor with Calian Group, and her husband Peter Bengough at the Night to Nourish dinner in support of Parkdale Food Centre hosted by North & Navy restaurant on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Angela Singhal, executive vice president at Richcraft Homes, certified nutritional practitioner Jessica Parkes, Michelle Taggart, vice president of planning and development at Tamarack Homes and Tartan Homes, and Jamie Brooks, psychologist/clinical director at Westboro Psychology, at the Night to Nourish dinner in support of Parkdale Food Centre hosted by North & Navy restaurant on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

A rising hunger crisis in Canada has meant the demand for PFC’s services has doubled since 2023. Each month, it serves around 1,000 meals and sees 1,600 people come through its grocery program. Its monthly food budget is $25,000.

That the organization continues to meet the needs is a testament to the “massive” public support. “Parkdale Food Centre is really an embedded part of the community,” said Ciavaglia, who also sits on the board of the Ottawa Food Bank.

PFC maintains an open-door policy. It builds bonds by having folks eat together at its communal harvest tables, rather than have a grab-and-go approach. The people it serves, referred to as “neighbours”, choose their food from the grocery program instead of being handed a fixed selection.

Neighbours aren’t made to wait in long lines, there are no security guards present, and special dietary restrictions or allergies are accommodated. “We push back against the idea of ‘You get what you get and you don’t get upset’,” said Ciavaglia. “We don’t believe in that.”

PFC also has a cool collaboration going with some small farms outside of Ottawa, including Juniper Farm, Terramor Farm and Grazing Days, to tackle the food shortage challenges.

As well, the organization serves as a voice for those struggling to make ends meet, working to identify solutions and drive change. “We continue to advocate around the root causes, which are poverty-related,” said Ciavaglia.

Jeff Reid, executive director in Ottawa of BMS Canada Risk Services, with Kevin Olesen from Enterprise Holdings, and Ana Palomino, president and founder of TerraHR Consulting, at the Night to Nourish dinner in support of Parkdale Food Centre hosted by North & Navy restaurant on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Nicholas Allaham, principal, family office practice at First Avenue Investment Counsel, and his wife, lawyer Chloe Allaham, at the Night to Nourish dinner in support of Parkdale Food Centre hosted by North & Navy restaurant on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Guests mingled over cocktails and a seafood bar at North & Navy, a Northern Italian restaurant and the host venue for the Night to Nourish dinner in support of Parkdale Food Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC and Welch LLP.

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