Ottawa Lottery Winner Dedicates Windfall to Alleviate Grocery Costs for Families
January 15, 2026
In an extraordinary act of kindness, an Ottawa resident is using her lottery winnings to help families struggling with rising grocery costs.
Patty Warden / CTV News
Patricia “Patty” Warden empathizes with the current financial strain many families face as grocery prices climb, making even a simple holiday meal seem unattainable for some.
“The hardest thing right now isn’t just the bills — it’s the cost of groceries,” Warden shared with CTV News. “I’m in a position to give back.”
Warden visited a Greely Foodland and discreetly distributed hundreds of gift cards to customers, leaving many pleasantly surprised and grateful.
At the end of the day, she had contributed over $20,000 in grocery gift cards.
Having won a $70 million Lotto Max jackpot in May 2024, Warden is focused on using her newfound wealth to aid others.
“I get to help a lot more people, which was my goal,” she noted. “It’s life-changing in that way. But I’m still Patty. That will never change.”
Her charitable actions stem from personal experiences.
Before her lottery win, Warden endured years marked by trauma, illness, addiction, and homelessness, at times resorting to sleeping on park benches.
“I owe everything to my mom,” she stated. “She helped me rebuild my life — with integrity, caring, and respect for others. You can’t put a price on that. Seventy million dollars is nothing compared to those values.”
Now, 30 years sober, Warden finds joy in giving back to the community.
“I just want to share my happiness,” she expressed.
Watch the video below:
