Winter in Ottawa always brings added urgency to the issue of homelessness. This Kindness Week, families and community members will have an opportunity to make a tangible difference through a hands-on volunteer initiative in partnership between Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s PJ Library program and Jewish Family Services’ StreetSmarts Outreach Program, which supports Ottawa’s downtown homeless population. Called “PJ Library Gives Back,” the event serves as a way to come together as a community and spread kindness around the city to those who need it most.

In honour of Kindness Week, community members are invited to attend the event at the Soloway JCC (SJCC) where packages will be organized and eventually shared with the wider homeless community in the city.

“We’re going to be putting together as many packages as we can with basic wellness supplies that are otherwise hard to get access to,” said Eriel Ben-Gal, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s PJ Library Coordinator. “These will include things like water bottles, granola bars, socks, deodorant, winter clothes, toothpaste, and more.”

The overall message of Kindness Week is to do good deeds around your community. While the partnership event will be focused on building care packages, there will also be an opportunity to donate to StreetSmarts directly, which will help them to continue to undertake this work beyond Kindness Week. Kids also can make individualized greeting cards to be distributed with the goods they packaged. 

The event is open to the broader community as well. Volunteers are warmly welcomed to lend a helping hand in this meaningful endeavour.

Chris Johnson, the coordinator of StreetSmarts, said “every donation will go directly to someone in need.”
For this event, there is a greater emphasis on winter clothes, such as men’s coats and gloves, but more everyday essentials such as new underwear and socks are also welcome. 

This will take place on Sunday, Feb. 22 from 3 pm to 5 pm, and will be the capstone event for Kindness Week 2026. 

StreetSmarts has a long history of serving unhoused people across Ottawa. Founded in 2001 by Pete Cassidy with the help of Jewish Family Services, it has been able to provide much-needed support across the city for decades.

“Our mission is not only to provide emergency supplies,” said StreetSmarts Coordinator Chris Johnson, “it is also to build connection and community with the people living on the streets.”

Johnson spoke about what sets the StreetSmarts program apart from other organizations in the city, specifically as it pertains to the freedom to connect and build relationships with people experiencing homelessness. 

On StreetSmarts’ mandate, Ben-Gal said “I really appreciate their mission. Ever since starting to work with [StreetSmarts], I think about Ottawa’s cold weather and how integral their work is in serving these populations.”

She also spoke about how volunteers travel throughout the city, checking in on individuals living on the streets, distributing essential supplies, and offering support.

If you wish to attend PJ Library Gives Back, click here. If you have any questions about the event, reach out to Eriel Ben-Gal at [email protected].