HOW TO HELP, TORONTO

Thank you for visiting TorontoDonates.blogspot.com.

1) SEARCH BY ITEMS YOU HAVE TO GIVE:

• Art work
• Books
• Building supplies
• Clothes
• Computers
• Food
• Gift certificates or Canadian Tire money
• Hand-knitted clothes
• Hardware
• Household items
• Medical and health supplies
• Office furniture
• Pet care
• Points from loyalty programs
• Recreation items
• School supplies
• Toiletries and personal care products
• Toys
• TTC tokens

2) SEARCH BY THOSE WHO ARE HELPED:

• Animals
• Children & youth
• Abused women & children
• People who are homeless
• Low-income families
• People with disabilities
• People with AIDS
• Seniors

3) FIND A CHARITY IN TORONTO:

• Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto
• Children's Aid Society of Toronto
• Children's Book Bank
• Covenant House
• Daily Bread Food Bank
• Dress Your Best / Dress For Success
• Dr. Roz's Healing Place
• Easter Seals Ontario
• Good Shepherd Ministries
• Habitat for Humanity
• Interval House
• Nellie's
• The Streetknit Project
• Toronto Humane Society
• Toronto Public Library Foundation
• United Way Toronto

Please note: This blog links to the official websites of Toronto-based charities.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto

WHO DO THEY HELP?

• Children aged 6 to 18 who need an adult mentor and friend

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Match children aged 6 to 18 with adult mentors
• Give youth over the age of 16 a chance to be a Big Brother or Big Sister to a child through their School-Based Co-op Program

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Donate tickets to a sports event, theatre performance, amusement part, science centre, or circus visit. Just provide at least 48 hours notice. Learn more


2. Donate items for live and/or silent auctions to help them raise funds. Learn more

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

• Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto
• #501 - 2345 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario, M4P 2E5
• View a MAP

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

• Visit their website

Children's Aid Society of Toronto

WHO DO THEY HELP?

• Children who are abused or neglected.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Protect children from abuse and neglect.
• Provide assessments, crisis intervention, counseling and services to prevent child abuse and neglect.
• Help parents build healthy families and provide a safe, nurturing place for children and young adults to grow up and realize their dreams.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. View a WISH LIST of their most urgent needs


2. Holiday season program: Each year during November and December, the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto organizes the TOY ROOM to distribute to children and families in need:
• TOYS
• CLOTHING
• GIFT CERTIFICATES

Learn more

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

• Children's Aid Society of Toronto
• Toronto branch: 30 Isabella Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 1N1
• Other branch locations
• View a MAP

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

• Visit their website

Children's Book Bank

WHO DO THEY HELP?

• Children living in lower income neighbourhoods.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Support children's literacy in lower income neighbourhoods.
• Allow children to select and own books at no cost.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. View a WISH LIST of their most urgent needs


2. Here are some things they need:


• Gently used, high quality CHILDREN'S BOOKS
• DICTIONARIES
• NOT adult books or novels, young adult books or novels, school or text books, discarded school or library books, magazines, damaged books, or books published more than 10 years ago.

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

• Children's Book Bank
• 350 Berkeley Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 2X5
• View a MAP
• Books may be dropped off during regular business hours.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

• Visit their website

Covenant House

WHO DO THEY HELP?

• Young people aged 16 to 24 who are homeless.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Provide shelter, 24/7 crisis care, education, counselling, health care, and employment assistance to homeless youth.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. View a WISH LIST of their most urgent needs


2. Here are some things they need:


• CLOTHING - undergarments, white t-shirts, winter coats
• HYGIENE PRODUCTS - unscented feminine hygiene products, combs, conditioner, disposable razors, toothbrushes, ...
• FOOD - non-dented canned, unopened packaged goods (peanut-free)
• HOUSEHOLD ITEMS - alarm clocks, batteries, dishes, flatware, flashlights, grocery gift cards, towels, new bed linens, ...
• SCHOOL SUPPLIES - notebooks, pens, day planners, watches, umbrellas, TTC tokens, wallets, ...
• RECREATION - pre-paid telephone cards, movie passes, books, musical instruments, board games, videos, ...
• CHRISTMAS GIFTS - backpacks, chocolate bars (nut free), gift certificates, fast food vouchers, ...


3. Please email the Donations Department or call 416-598-4898 extension 5418 to check if they still need these items or to discuss other items or ideas you may have

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

• Covenant House
• 20 Gerrard St. E., Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2P3
• View a MAP

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

• Visit their website

Daily Bread Food Bank

WHO DO THEY HELP?

• People who are hungry - including the working poor, children, and people with disabilities.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Collect food to more than 160 community-based agencies across the GTA for distribution to hungry people.
• Run an advocacy program to help resolve issues related to hunger like access to social benefits, housing, immigration, and employment.
• Conduct community-based research and develop innovative, practical government policies that reduce hunger and poverty.
• Run a food services training program.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. View a WISH LIST of their most urgent needs


2. Here are some things they need:


• Peanut Butter
• Baby Formula & Food
• Canned Fruits or Vegetables
• Canned Fish or Meat
• Dried Pasta & Tomato Sauce
• Rice
• Lentils
• Cans of Soup or Hearty Stew
• Powdered, Canned or Tetra Pak Milk
• Cans of Beans
• Macaroni and Cheese


3. Run a food drive

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

• Ongoing drop-off locations throughout Toronto
• Daily Food Bread Bank
• 191 New Toronto St., Toronto, Ontario, M8V 2E7
• View a MAP of their headquarters

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

• Visit their website

Dress Your Best / Dress For Success

WHO DO THEY HELP?

• Women, men and youth seeking employment.
• People referred to by 340 non-profit job training agencies in the GTA.
• Children, infants and low-income families.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Help women, men and youth find a job by providing clothes for interviews and employment.
• Provide each client with an average of 5 outfits, along with help from a trained image consultant.
• Provide children with clothing for school, as well as clothes for infants and impoverished families.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. View a WISH LIST of their most urgent needs


2. Here are some things they need:


• All donated clothing and accessories must be clean and ready to wear.
• Please donate your clothing and accessories in large shopping bags.


• Women's Clothing & Accessories:
• Two-piece suits, blazers, blouses, tops, pants, skirts, dresses, sweater sets
• Spring jackets, winter coats, hats, gloves, scraves
• Boots, office footwear
• Belts, purses, dress scarves, jewelry
• Cosmetics, new hygiene products, hairstyling products


• Men's Clothing & Accessories:
• Two-piece suits, blazers, shirts, pants, sweaters
• Trench style jackets, winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves
• Boots, office footwear
• Belts, ties
• New hygiene products, hairstyling & grooming products


• Children's Clothing & Accessories:
• Girls and Boys, babies to teens
• All season outwear, all season footwear
• All sizes and styles of clothing and accessories

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

• Dress For Success Toronto, Women's Boutique
• Open for clothing donation drops offs on Wednesdays between 10am-8pm
• c/o The Walmer Centre
• 188 Lowther Avenue, 3rd floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1E8
• View a MAP


• Dress Your Best, Men's and Children's Boutique
• Open for clothing donation drops offs on Mondays from 10am-6pm
• c/o WoodGreen East York Rotary Neighbourhood House
• 280 Donlands Avenue, 2nd floor, Toronto, Ontario, M4J 3R4
• View a MAP

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

• Visit their website

Dr. Roz's Healing Place

WHO DO THEY HELP?

• Abused women and their children

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Provide abused women and their children with a safe refuge
• Offer individual and group crisis counseling advocacy, and follow up services

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Here are some things they need:


• TTC fare
• Catered food
• Gift baskets
• Art work
• Equipment
• Office furniture
• Program needs (art materials, supplies, etc.)


2. In-kind donations can help for holiday programs, walk-a-thons, bake sales, concerts, carnival or other special events. They can serve as raffle prizes, refreshments, gift bags for participants, silent auction items, etc.


3. View their donations page (click Donations, then scroll down the page)

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

• Dr. Roz's Healing Place
• Cliffcrest Plaza, P.O. Box 88027, Scarborough, Ontario

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

• Visit their website

Easter Seals Ontario

WHO DO THEY HELP?

• Children, youth and young adults with physical disabilities.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Help children, youth and young adults with physical disabilities achieve their full individual potential and future independence.
• Offer financial assistance for mobility equipment and communication devices.
• Provide an accessible camp and funding for other summer recreational programs.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. View a WISH LIST of their most urgent needs


2. Donate your Shoppers Optimum card points. Learn more


3. Donate your HBC Rewards card points. Learn more

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

• Easter Seals Ontario
• One Concorde Gate, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 3N6
• View a MAP

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

• Visit their website

Good Shepherd Ministries

WHO DO THEY HELP?

• People who are homeless, disadvantaged and marginalized.
• Most clients are adult men. The number of women using their meal service is growing.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Give food, shelter, clothing and more to anyone in need.
• Provide a residence for seniors with a history of homelessness.
• Provide a residence for people living with HIV and AIDS.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. View a WISH LIST of their most urgent needs


2. Here are some things they need:


• KITCHEN - coffee, soups, stews, rice, cookies, breakfast cereals, hot chocolate, tinned vegetables & fruit, ...
• DORMITORY - toothpaste, razors, shaving cream, men's deodorant, Kleenex, bath towels, blankets (twin), ...
• CLOTHING - underwear, socks, durable pants, sweatshirts, t-shirts, hoodies, running shoes, ...
• MEDICAL - nail clippers, reusable ice packs, Band-Aids, tensor bandages, Metamucil fibre, Polident, ...
• SELF-HELP - art supplies, soccer balls, baseball gloves (adult), educational videos, relaxation tapes, ...


• What else do they need?


3. Donations can be dropped off at: Good Shepherd Centre, 412 Queen Street East (near Queen East & Parliament Streets). For larger donations, call 416-869-3619 to arrange pick-up,
   or e-mail donations@goodshepherd.ca.

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

• Good Shepherd Ministries
• 412 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1T3
• View a MAP

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

• Visit their website

Habitat for Humanity

WHO DO THEY HELP?

• Low-income families who:
• Currently live in substandard housing
• Are willing to volunteer 500 hours of "sweat equity"
• Will repay a zero-down payment, interest-free mortgage over an average 25 years

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Build affordable housing and promote homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty - with the help of volunteers and community partners

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Donate new BUILDING MATERIALS
• Contact Janice Love at 416-755-8023 ext 25
• Learn more


2. Donate new and gently-used HOUSEHOLD RENOVATION MATERIALS for resale at their ReStores
• Floors, windows, cabinets, flooring materials, toilets, sinks, plumbing and electrical fixtures, "energy star" appliances 5 years or newer, etc.
• They can issue a tax receipt for the fair market value of the goods you donate
• Learn more

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

• Habitat for Humanity
• ReStore North York, 1120 Caledonia Road, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 2W5 (MAP), 416-783-0686
• ReStore East York, 29 Bermondsey Road, Toronto, Ontario, M4B 1Z7 (MAP), 416-755-8023
• ReStore Etobicoke, 7 Queen Elizabeth Blvd., Toronto, Ontario, M8Z 1L9 (MAP), 416-259-9220

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

• Visit their website

Interval House

WHO DO THEY HELP?

• Women and children who are abused.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Provide safe shelter and services for abused women and children.
• Offer counselling, advocacy, outreach, legal and housing support, as well as programs to help build economic self-sufficiency.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. View a WISH LIST of their most urgent needs


2. Here are some things they need:


• CLOTHING - women's clothing (including career clothing), children's clothing...
• FOR KIDS & BABIES - plastic toys, baby monitors, ...
• SCHOOL SUPPLIES - backpacks, school supplies, ...
• PERSONAL ITEMS - toothbrushes, soap, ...
• HOUSEHOLD ITEMS - towels, sheets, pillows, furniture, small appliances (e.g., microwaves, blenders), ...
• COMPUTERS - computers will all cords required for hookup (please call for basic specifications)
• GIFT CERTIFICATES - The Bay, Loblaws, ...


• What else do they need?


3. For security reasons, Interval House can only accept donated items by appointment.

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

• Interval House: contact by telephone or email
• Donation inquiries by telephone: 416-924-1411 ext. 231, 225, or 224
• Donation inquiries by email: info@intervalhouse.on.ca

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

• Visit their website

Nellie's

WHO DO THEY HELP?

• Women and children who are homeless and leaving violence.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Run a 36 bed emergency shelter for women and children who are homeless - and women and children leaving violence.
• Help in locating safe affordable housing and support services.
• Provide aftercare and follow-up support and service to women and children who have left the shelter.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. View a WISH LIST of their most urgent needs


2. Here are some things they need:


• NEW CLOTHING FOR WOMEN, KIDS & INFANTS - clothing sets, footwear, winter coats, sleepwear
• GIFT CERTIFICATES
• MOVIE VOUCHERS
• TOILETRIES
• BABY FURNITURE - high chair, cribs, playpens
• LINEN SETS - for bed, towels
• INFANT CARE - soaps, lotions, diaper cream, ...
• CHILDREN'S TOYS - for infants to 16 years of age


• What else do they need?

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

• Nellie's: contact by telephone or email
• Contact information

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

• Visit their website

The Streetknit Project

WHO DO THEY HELP?

• People who are homeless during the winter and fall months, and at risk of freezing to death.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Give knitted clothing (sweaters, hats, mittens, socks, scarfs) and blankets to homeless people during the winter.
• Each fall, they distribute knitted clothing to outreach programs including: Windfall Clothing, St. Francis Table, Scott Mission, Parkdale Community Health Centre, PARC, and Out of the Cold.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. View a WISH LIST of their most urgent needs (check for the latest updates in their blog)


2. Here are some things they need:
• HAND KNITTED (OR CROCHETED) CLOTHING: sweaters, hats, mittens, socks, scarfs
• BLANKETS
• "Kids really like it in basic black."


3. Need some free knitting patterns? Click here (then find a list of free patterns in the right-hand column)


4. Learn more about community events

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

• Streetknit Project
• Drop-off at local yarn-knit shops:
• Eugenix: 99 Burlington St. (MAP)
• Knit-O-Matic: 1378 Bathurst St. (MAP)
• Nathalie-Roze: 1015 Queen St. East (MAP)
• Sew Be It Studio: 2156 Yonge St., lower unit (MAP)
• The Knit Cafe: 1050 Queen St. West (MAP)
• The Naked Sheep: 2144 A Queen St. East (MAP)

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

• Visit their website

Toronto Humane Society

WHO DO THEY HELP?

• Lost, abandoned and injured animals in the city of Toronto.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Provide shelter and veterinary care to injured and abandoned animals.
• Organize foster care for young, sick and injured animals.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Adopt a cat, dog or other animal.


2. Offer a temporary foster home to a young, sick or injured animal.


3. Donate your Canadian Tire money.

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

• Toronto Humane Society
• 11 River Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 4C2
• View a MAP
• Contact information

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

• Visit their website

Toronto Public Library Foundation

WHO DO THEY HELP?

• All Torontonians at all stages of their lives

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Provide free learning resources for every Torontonian.
• Run preschool reading programs.
• Provide large print/other formats for the sight and hearing impaired.
• Provide a home library service for housebound seniors.
• Provide resources for small businesses, and much more.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Donate USED BOOKS
• The books are then sold at the library's bookstores: Book Ends and Book Ends South; run entirely by Friends of Toronto Public Library volunteers. All of the proceeds from both bookstores go towards supporting literacy programs.
• Learn more


2. Donate NEW (or almost new), rare, historical or significant BOOKS or materials
• Where possible the Library will attempt to add the materials to their collections. If this is not possible, the materials will be sold at branch book sales or given to the Friends of Toronto Public Library to sell at their bookstore and sales. All proceeds of these sales benefit the Library. All materials not sold or deemed unfit for sale will be given to other charities or recycled.
• Learn more

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

• Toronto Public Library Foundation
• Drop boxes are located inside the following libraries and are accessible during library hours:


1. Toronto Reference Library - 789 Yonge Street (MAP)


2. North York Central Library - 5120 Yonge Street (MAP)

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

• Visit their website

United Way Toronto

WHO DO THEY HELP?

• People living in vulnerable situations - including women who have been abused, people who are homeless, newcomers, seniors, people with disabilities, and young children.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Improve lives and strengthen neighbourhoods across Toronto.
• Raise money and allocate funds locally to support a network of 200 health and social service agencies.
• Provide counselling and crisis-support services.
• Create opportunities for youth and newcomers.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. View a WISH LIST of their most urgent needs


2. Here are some things they need:


• HOUSEHOLD ITEMS - used furniture, household items
• COMPUTERS
• UNUSED HYGIENE PRODUCTS - toothpaste, soap, shampoo, ...
• TICKETS FOR EVENTS
• CLOTHING - new or used
• They cannot accept stained items or items that require repair.


• What else do they need?

HOW TO MAKE A GIFT-IN-KIND DONATION:

1. Contact Grace Tay, gift-in-kind coordinator to discuss your donation at 416-359-2063 or by email at gtay@uwgt.org
2. Complete the gift-in-kind donation form (word | pdf) and fax (416-777-0962) or email gtay@uwgt.org a signed copy to Grace Tay.
3. Liaise with the recipient organization to coordinate pick-up or delivery of the donated item(s), once a match has been confirmed by United Way Toronto.

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

• United Way Toronto
• 26 Wellington Street East, 2nd floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1W9
• Please see instructions above for "How to make a gift-in-kind donation".

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

• Visit their website