For many people who come to Scott Mission, a meal is about more than food.
A warm breakfast can provide stability and hope at the start of the day. A hot lunch can offer relief during a difficult season. A shared meal can be an opportunity to connect with caring staff and volunteers, access other supports, and begin taking steps forward.
Meals are often one of the first ways people experience care at Scott Mission. They are part of a broader commitment to providing practical support, dignity, and hope to people experiencing poverty and homelessness.
On average, it costs approximately $11 to prepare and serve a meal, including staffing, kitchen operations, and logistics. In addition, on average, each meal includes approximately $3 in donated food, bringing the total value of a meal to approximately $14. These figures represent averages across our meal programs and are reviewed periodically.
Scott Mission is recognized as an A-rated charity by Charity Intelligence Canada. As part of our commitment to stewardship and transparency, we are providing more information through our website, FAQs, and donor communications about the resources required to prepare and serve meals today. At the same time, we are moving away from language that links a specific gift amount to the full cost of a meal and toward language that shows how gifts help provide meals and care.
By January 1, 2027, fundraising messages that directly equate a donation amount with the full cost of a meal will no longer be used in Scott Mission fundraising communications.
When Michael first came to Scott Mission, a nourishing meal was one of the first supports he received. That connection led to additional support and helped him navigate a difficult season. His story is a reminder that while meals are important, they are often just one part of a larger journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost Scott Mission to provide a meal?
On average, it costs approximately $11 to prepare and serve a meal, including staffing, kitchen operations, and logistics. In addition, on average, each meal includes approximately $3 in donated food, bringing the total value of a meal to approximately $14. These are average figures across our meal programs and may change over time as costs and meal volumes change.
What is included in the cost of a meal?
Preparing and serving meals requires much more than ingredients alone. Costs include all the food required for a nutritious meal but also staffing, kitchen operations, food preparation, food safety, logistics, equipment, utilities, and the many behind-the-scenes costs that help us prepare and serve meals safely every day.
Why isn't donated food considered free?
We are grateful for donated food, which helps stretch donor dollars and increase our impact. While donated food reduces what Scott Mission needs to purchase, it still has real value and requires receiving, storage, handling, preparation, and service. On average, donated food contributes approximately $3 of value to each meal.
We calculate this amount by looking at the total value of food donated to Scott Mission and spreading that value across all the meals we serve. Some meals rely more heavily on donated food than others, and we also purchase food throughout the year to ensure we can consistently provide nutritious meals.
Does every meal cost exactly the same amount?
No. Costs vary depending on the type of meal being served, food costs, donated food availability, and overall meal volumes. The figures we share represent averages across our meal programs.
Why is Scott Mission updating how it talks about meal costs?
For many years, Scott Mission used fundraising messages that connected gifts to providing meals as a simple way to help donors understand the impact of their support. During that time, inflation significantly increased the cost of food, labour, utilities, transportation, and other operational expenses. Our programs also continued to grow and evolve.
As part of our commitment to stewardship and transparency, we are increasing transparency through our website, FAQs, and donor communications about the resources required to prepare and serve meals today. At the same time, we are evolving our language that links a specific gift amount to the full cost of a meal to language that shows how gifts help provide meals and care.
How often are these figures updated?
Scott Mission regularly reviews its cost models to ensure they reflect current operations and provide supporters with accurate information. The figures shared here are based on our most recent review and may change over time as operating conditions evolve.
I would like to help 10 people. How much should I give?
Any gift you choose to make will help provide meals and care for people experiencing poverty and homelessness.
Some supporters like to think about the number of people they hope to help. As a general guideline, a gift of approximately $150 would help provide meals for about 10 people. Gifts beyond that help support the broader care people receive through Scott Mission, from practical assistance and community connection to other programs and services that can help them move forward.
How does my donation help?
Donations help make meals possible while also supporting the people, facilities, and services required to prepare and serve them. Every gift contributes to the broader mission of providing practical care, support, and hope to people experiencing poverty and homelessness.
This page was last updated August 2026 and is reviewed annually.
