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Emergency
24/7
If someone is in immediate danger, badly hurt, or not breathing, call 911 first. Nothing on this page comes before that.
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If you are thinking about ending your life, or you are worried about someone who is, you can call or text 988 anywhere in Canada. It is free and confidential.
Community & social services
24/7 · free · confidential
Dial 2-1-1 to reach a real person who can find food, shelter, addiction support, mental health services, and financial help near you. They keep the listings current, so they will know what is actually open tonight.
We deliberately don't publish shelter and meal times here — they change week to week, and being sent to a closed door when you're cold is worse than no answer at all. 2-1-1 knows what's open tonight.
Come and eat with us
Every Tuesday at 7:00 PM
75 John St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 1H7
Rain or shine, summer and winter. Free parking. Just walk up — there's nothing to sign and nobody will ask you to prove you need it.
A hot meal and something warm
We bring food and practical supplies to the street every Tuesday night. You do not need to sign anything, prove anything, or believe anything to eat with us.
Someone to pray with you
If you want prayer, we will stop and pray with you right there. If you would rather just talk, that is fine too.
No conditions
We are not going to preach at you before we help you. You are made in the image of God and you will be treated that way, wherever you are at.
Where else to look
These organisations keep their own listings up to date. We'd rather send you somewhere accurate than guess on your behalf.
211 Ontario
Search Ontario's official directory of food, housing, health, and financial support — or dial 2-1-1 and talk to someone who will search it with you.
Hamilton Food Share
The network behind Hamilton's food banks and emergency food programs. Start here to find food support in the city.
Good Shepherd Centres
Long-standing Hamilton provider of emergency shelter, meals, and support for people facing homelessness, hunger, and crisis.
Mission Services of Hamilton
Hamilton ministry offering shelter, food, and addiction recovery support.
Common questions
Where can I get free food in Hamilton?
Dial 2-1-1 (free, 24/7) and they will tell you which food banks and meal programs are open right now near you — the listings are kept current, which a website cannot promise. Hamilton Food Share also lists food support across the city. And Love on Hamilton brings food to the street every Tuesday at 7:00 PM at 75 John St N.
I need somewhere to sleep tonight. What do I do?
Call 2-1-1 and ask about emergency shelter — they have live information about which beds are available tonight. Good Shepherd Centres and Mission Services of Hamilton both provide emergency shelter in Hamilton. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Do I have to be a Christian to get help from Love on Hamilton?
No. There are no conditions. We will not make you listen to anything, sign anything, or believe anything before we help you. You are welcome exactly as you are.
When and where does Love on Hamilton hand out food?
Every Tuesday at 7:00 PM at 75 John St N in Hamilton. We are there rain or shine, summer and winter. There is free parking, and you can just walk up.
Can I get prayer without getting a sermon?
Yes. If you ask for prayer we will pray with you, and that is it. If you would rather have a conversation, or nothing at all, that is completely fine.
How can I help someone who is homeless in Hamilton?
Learn their name and treat them like a person — that is the part most people skip. Beyond that: 2-1-1 can connect them to services, Hamilton Food Share and Good Shepherd Centres serve people in need across the city, and you are welcome to come out with us on a Tuesday and serve alongside people who do this every week.
Want to be part of helping? Come out on a Tuesday or help fund the meals.