DAO Market
Food with choice, dignity and respect
The DAO Pantry is becoming the DAO Market.
Beginning Thursday, August 6, 2026, community members can select available food and essential products in a welcoming, grocery-style environment.
The DAO Market is operated by Durham Alliance Outreach in partnership with Feed the Need in Durham.
Thursdays · 3:30 p.m.–7:15 p.m.
Visits are by appointment.
How It Works
Shop for the food your household will use
Instead of receiving a pre-packed hamper, households with a scheduled appointment can select from the food and products available during their visit.
Available inventory changes each week depending on donations and deliveries, and some products may have individual limits.
Choose an available Thursday appointment through our online booking calendar.
Appointments help reduce wait times and manage the number of people shopping at once.
Check in with a DAO Market volunteer at the rear entrance of Unit 8.
Please arrive at the time shown in your confirmation rather than significantly early.
Select available products based on your household’s assigned basket size.
All products must fit fully inside your assigned basket or baskets without overflowing.
Plan Your Visit
Book your DAO Market appointment
Use our online booking calendar to choose an available Thursday appointment.
Appointments help us manage capacity, reduce wait times and give each household enough time to shop comfortably.
Please book only one appointment per household for each eligible visit. Duplicate appointments may be cancelled.
Arrival note
Please arrive at the appointment time shown in your confirmation. Arriving early does not guarantee earlier entry, and waiting space is limited.
Market hours
Thursdays
3:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Location
Durham Alliance Outreach
717 Wilson Road South, Unit 8 Oshawa, Ontario L1H 6E9
Entrance: Rear entrance of Unit 8, near the loading doors.
Need help booking or require an accommodation?
Call 905-738-8133 ext. 0556.
Shopping Guidelines
Your shopping amount is based on household size
One small arm basket
All selected products must fit fully inside the basket without overflowing.
One rolling basket
All selected products must fit fully inside the basket without overflowing.
One small arm basket and one rolling basket
All selected products must fit fully inside both assigned baskets without overflowing.
Items may not be balanced on top, carried separately or placed outside the assigned basket limit.
Some high-demand or limited-supply products may also have individual item limits. Posted limits must be followed even when there is still room in your basket.
Need Another Option?
Missed appointments and express bags
Missed or late appointments
Please make every effort to arrive at your scheduled appointment time.
If you arrive late, we may not be able to provide the full Market shopping experience. Late entry depends on the remaining appointment schedule, Market capacity and available shopping time.
If we cannot accommodate your shopping appointment, you may be offered an express bag if one is still available.
A missed appointment does not reserve or guarantee an express bag.
If you know you cannot attend, please cancel or reschedule using the link in your booking confirmation so another household can use the appointment.
Express bags
A limited number of pre-packed express bags may be available during regular Market hours for:
- People who missed their scheduled appointment
- People who could not secure an appointment
- Walk-in visitors seeking emergency food support
Express bags are:
- Available on a first-come, first-served basis
- Offered only while supplies last
- Pre-packed using available inventory
- Not customizable like a Market shopping appointment
- Not guaranteed
Receiving an express bag does not include access to shop inside the Market.
Who We Serve
Food support for individuals and families in our community
Everyone is welcome
ou do not need to be a member of Durham Alliance Outreach or Club 717 to access the DAO Market.
You also do not need to identify as 2SLGBTQIA+.
DAO was founded to support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and our food-access services are available to the broader community.
Everyone visiting the Market is expected to respect DAO’s safer-space standards and the dignity of other visitors, volunteers and staff.
Visiting for the first time?
New community members are welcome.
When booking your first appointment, please provide accurate contact and household information. A DAO team member may confirm or complete your registration when you arrive.
All household members included in your food support must be listed in your household registration.
Your registered household size determines the basket amount available during your Market visit.
DAO Market visits are recorded through Link2Feed, the shared registration and reporting system used by participating food-support organizations.
Privacy note
Your information helps us:
- Confirm household size
- Distribute food fairly
- Understand community need
- Meet program and reporting requirements
Personal information will be handled respectfully and used only for appropriate program administration and service delivery.
Accessibility
Support is available for your visit
Need an accommodation?
Community members who require disability-related assistance, communication support, help with booking, or another accommodation are encouraged to contact us before their appointment.
Our team will work with you to identify reasonable support based on your needs and the resources available.
Examples may include:
- Help booking an appointment
- Assistance during check-in
- Support navigating the Market
- Help carrying or organizing selected items
- Communication accommodations
- Alternate arrangements when an in-person visit creates a significant barrier
Please contact us as early as possible so we have time to prepare appropriate support.
Market entrance
The DAO Market entrance is located at the rear of Unit 8, near the loading doors.
Please follow the posted DAO Market signs when you arrive.
We recognize that the current entrance may present barriers for some community members, and DAO is actively working toward accessibility improvements.
Contact us
Phone: 905-738-8133 ext. 0556
Email: pantry@durhamallianceoutreach.org
Community Expectations
A respectful and safer space for everyone
Everyone visiting the DAO Market is expected to help maintain a welcoming, respectful and safe environment.
Please:
- Treat visitors, volunteers and staff with respect
- Respect names, pronouns, identities, cultures and personal boundaries
- Follow appointment times, basket limits and volunteer directions
- Protect the privacy of other community members
- Keep neighbouring driveways, loading areas and entrances clear
- Avoid photographing or recording others without their permission
We do not permit:
- Harassment or discrimination
- Threatening, abusive or intimidating behaviour
- Repeated refusal to follow Market procedures
- Disruption of service or interference with other visitors
- Conduct that creates an unsafe environment
Frequently Asked Questions
What to know before your visit
Do I need an appointment?
Yes. An appointment is required to shop inside the DAO Market and select your own items.
A limited number of express bags may be available for people without appointments, but they are not guaranteed.
How do I book an appointment?
Use our online booking calendar to select an available Thursday appointment.
Please book only one appointment per household for each eligible visit.
When should I arrive?
Please arrive at the appointment time shown in your booking confirmation.
Arriving early does not guarantee earlier entry, and waiting space is limited.
What happens if I am late or miss my appointment?
Late entry depends on the remaining appointment schedule, Market capacity and available shopping time.
If we cannot accommodate your shopping appointment, you may be offered an express bag if one is available.
Missing an appointment does not guarantee or reserve an express bag.
What is an express bag?
An express bag is a pre-packed selection of available food and pantry essentials.
Express bags are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. They do not provide the same choice as a scheduled Market appointment.
How much can my household shop for?
Shopping amounts are based on registered household size:
- 1–2 people: one small arm basket
- 3–4 people: one rolling basket
- 5 or more people: one small arm basket and one rolling basket
All items must fit fully inside the assigned basket or baskets without overflowing.
Can I carry additional items outside my basket?
No. Items may not be balanced on top, carried separately or placed outside the assigned basket limit.
Some products may also have individual limits, even when there is space remaining in your basket.
Will the same products be available every week?
No. Available products depend on donations, deliveries and inventory.
Specific items, brands and quantities cannot be guaranteed.
Can food or express bags be reserved?
No. Products and express bags cannot be held or reserved.
What should I bring?
Please bring reusable grocery bags, a cart or another safe way to carry your groceries.
You should also bring any information needed to update your household registration.
Is there a cost to use the DAO Market?
No. There is no cost to shop at the DAO Market or receive an express bag.
Do I need to identify as 2SLGBTQIA+?
No. The DAO Market provides food support to the broader community.
Everyone using the Market is expected to respect DAO’s 2SLGBTQIA+-affirming safer-space standards.
Can someone shop on my behalf?
Alternate arrangements may be considered when illness, disability or another significant barrier prevents you from attending.
Please contact DAO before your appointment to discuss your situation. Approval is not automatic and may require confirmation.
What if I need help booking or an accommodation?
Contact us before your visit:
Phone: 905-738-8133 ext. 0556
Email: pantry@durhamallianceoutreach.org
Support food access in our community
The DAO Market depends on donations, volunteers and community partnerships to provide free food and essential items each week.
Donate needed items
Frequently needed items include:
- Canned meat and fish
- Peanut butter
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- Canned fruit and vegetables
- Soup and ramen
- Rice and meal kits
- Cereal and oatmeal
- Granola bars and school snacks
- Macaroni and cheese
- Baby wipes
- Diapers, especially sizes 4, 5 and 6
- Personal-care and hygiene products
Please donate unopened products in safe packaging and within an acceptable date.
Make a financial contribution
Donations can help provide:
- Fresh and refrigerated food
- Essential products that are rarely donated
- Market supplies and equipment
- Transportation and food pickup costs
- Emergency food support
Durham Alliance Outreach is a registered charity. Eligible donations may receive an official charitable tax receipt.
Volunteer with the DAO Market
Opportunities may include:
- Receiving and sorting donations
- Stocking shelves
- Preparing express bags
- Supporting appointment check-in
- Assisting community members while they shop
- Cleaning and organizing the Market
- Helping with donation drives and food pickups
Partner with the DAO Market
Businesses, community groups, schools and workplaces can support the Market by organizing food drives, sponsoring needed products, volunteering as a group or making a financial contribution.
Contact our team to discuss a food drive, workplace campaign, sponsorship or other community partnership.
Working Together
In partnership with Feed the Need in Durham
The DAO Market is operated by Durham Alliance Outreach in partnership with Feed the Need in Durham.
Through this partnership, DAO is moving from a traditional pantry model to a more dignified, choice-based Market experience where community members can select food and essential products based on their household needs.
Feed the Need in Durham supports food banks and community food programs across the region by helping provide food, resources, coordination and shared systems.
Together, we are working to:
- Improve access to food
- Increase choice and dignity
- Reduce food waste
- Respond to changing community needs
- Strengthen local food-support services
- Connect households with a broader network of support
This partnership allows DAO to build on our existing food-access program while creating a more organized, equitable and welcoming experience for the community.
Ready to Visit?
Book your DAO Market appointment
Appointments are required for the full choice-based Market shopping experience.
A limited number of express bags may be available for missed appointments or walk-in emergency support, but they are offered only while supplies last and are not guaranteed.
Thursdays, 3:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Durham Alliance Outreach
717 Wilson Road South, Unit 8
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 6E9
Entrance: Rear entrance of Unit 8, near the loading doors
Phone: 905-738-8133 ext. 0556
Email: pantry@durhamallianceoutreach.org
Please arrive at your scheduled appointment time and bring reusable grocery bags or a cart.