The Ottawa Mission is celebrating a historic Giving Tuesday after raising more than $1.1 million in support of people experiencing homelessness, hunger, and poverty — the most successful Giving Tuesday campaign in the organization’s history, representing close to a 40% increase over the prior year. The milestone was made possible in part through the longstanding partnership between The Ottawa Mission and DYMON, whose commitment to community support continues to inspire generosity across the region.
Giving Tuesday marks the start of the holiday giving season, and this year, the need has been greater than ever. Rising food insecurity, housing instability, and demand for shelter services have placed unprecedented pressure on frontline organizations. Despite these challenges, the community stepped up, and DYMON played a pivotal role in amplifying the call to action.
“DYMON has always believed that business should be a force for good,” said Glen Luckman, CEO at DYMON. “Our customers make everything possible. Every time they choose DYMON, they are directly supporting the charities and community organizations we proudly partner with, including The Ottawa Mission. We’re honoured to help make a meaningful difference in the lives of people who need it most.”
Philanthropy is part of DYMON’s DNA. That includes signature initiatives with The Ottawa Mission like the Giving Tuesday campaign that Dymon has been partnering with for almost a decade. The funds raised from Giving Tuesday help provide nutritious meals, job training, emergency shelter, and wrap-around services to thousands of people in need within our local community. Dymon also promotes Giving Tuesday across its stores and digital platforms, encouraging customers to join in supporting vulnerable people in the community. Dymon first partnered with The Mission’s Giving Tuesday campaign in 2018, helping raise $137,000. Over the last 7 years the campaign has grown from strength to strength, crossing the $1.1 million mark this year, showing the true potential of philanthropic partnerships.
This year’s campaign surpassed every expectation. More than 5,000 donors from across the Ottawa region contributed to the effort, helping The Ottawa Mission continue providing essential programs from its busy kitchen, which serves more than 1.2 million meals annually, to its shelter, addiction recovery programs, health clinic, food truck, and job training initiatives such as the Food Services Training Program and the Maintenance Services Training Program.
“The support from DYMON speaks to the best of what our community can do,” said Ottawa Mission CEO Peter Tilley. “When we work together, we change lives. Reaching over $1.1 million on Giving Tuesday is an extraordinary achievement — and we’re deeply grateful.”
As the holiday season continues, both DYMON and The Ottawa Mission say the momentum from Giving Tuesday will help sustain vital services in the months ahead. For thousands of people across Ottawa, the generosity shown this week will mean a warm meal, a safe place to stay, and the hope of a better future.
