OUR PROGRAMS
Our programs are built around your whole household.
Compassion Society of Halton offers four kinds of help under one roof: the Food Market, Mina's Closet for clothing, personal care essentials and seasonal programs. A visit may start with groceries, and our staff and volunteers also listen for what the whole household needs, then help you find a useful next step.
Everything is free for Halton residents who are struggling to afford food. Some programs run on a regular schedule, and others depend on donations, funding and volunteers. Each section below explains what to expect.
OUR PROGRAMS
Our programs are built around your whole household.
Compassion Society of Halton offers four kinds of help under one roof: the Food Market, Mina's Closet for clothing, personal care essentials and seasonal programs. A visit may start with groceries, and our staff and volunteers also listen for what the whole household needs, then help you find a useful next step.
Everything is free for Halton residents who are struggling to afford food. Some programs run on a regular schedule, and others depend on donations, funding and volunteers. Each section below explains what to expect.
THE FOOD MARKET
Choice belongs at the centre of food support.
The Food Market works like a small grocery store. Registered neighbours browse the food available that day and choose what suits their household. That choice matters when you are cooking for children, managing a health need, keeping a faith tradition or simply wanting food your family will eat.
Arrive
Your first visit is a walk-in during first-visit hours, and a team member will register you.
Browse
Look through the food on the shelves that day. The mix changes with each donation and delivery.
Choose
Pick the items that suit your household's needs, health, culture or faith.
Next visit
Book your next weekly visit with us before you leave.
What you may find
Pantry staples, bread, fresh produce, dairy, meat, frozen food and ready-to-eat meals all come through the market. What is on the shelves changes with each donation and delivery.
How much you can take
We base the amount on your household size and what we have that week, aiming for a balanced selection that leaves enough for every family.
Someone picking up for you
If you cannot come in, another adult in your household who is listed on your profile can pick up food for you.
Food pickup hours
- Monday:
- 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday:
- 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday:
- 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
A team member will show you what is available when you arrive.
BEYOND GROCERIES
Small essentials can give a tight budget room to breathe.
A coat that fits, a package of diapers or a bottle of shampoo can take one more worry off a tight budget. We offer these alongside the Food Market. Stock changes, so some items are easier to find than others.
Ask what is available during your visit.
Thinking of donating? Our Most Needed Items page shows what we can take this week.
See what we need mostSEASONAL CARE
Some needs arrive with the calendar.
Starting school, getting ready for the holidays or facing a season of higher costs can bring a different kind of pressure.
Through the year we run seasonal programs such as holiday support, school supplies and fresh produce initiatives. Each holiday season, our Holiday Gift Program shares donated gift cards so families can choose what they need most.
Each program runs when funding, donations and volunteers allow. When one opens, we post the dates and how to sign up on our Blog and in the notice at the top of every page.
Open for sign-up
Nothing is open for sign-up right now. New dates go up on our Blog as soon as they are set.
See news and events