11 places looking for volunteers in Toronto this holiday season

The holidays can be a beautiful time of year.

A time of warmth, family, friends, and food.

But unfortunately, that’s not the case for everyone in Toronto this year. And the City of Toronto has provided its 2017 Holiday Wish List containing organizations and shelters looking for assistance this season.

And although below are only agencies requiring volunteers, each is also accepting donations.

But in addition to the 11 agencies in need of extra hands this holiday season, a full list of shelters and agencies accepting donations can be found here.

Take some time, gather some friend and head to a community organization this December. You’ll make a big difference in someone’s life.

Inbetween Support Services

Inbetween Support Services helps support low-income seniors who are living with mental heal and addiction concerns. In addition to needing volunteers, donations are also being accepted including personal hygine supplies, TTC tokens and monetary donations. To make a drop-off please call to make an arrangement.

Volunteers needed: To create a professional website and to canvas/hand out flyers to other agencies
Address: Contact Necole, [email protected] or at 416-970-9656 for details

Kennedy House Youth Service

A homeless youth service, helping youth between 16 to 24. In addition to needing volunteers, the youth service is also in need of personal hygiene supplies, clothing, Xbox 1 games, and patio furniture. Drop-offs can be made Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm.

Volunteers needed: To assist with gift wrapping, sorting donations, and serving food on Christmas day
Address: 1076 Pape Avenue

Riverdale Housing Action Group (RHAG)

The RHAG helps low-income women and families. This year, in addition to volunteers the centre is in need of financial donations and gift cards (grocery stores), family board games, arts and craft kits, personal hygiene supplies, and gifts for single, elderly women and young men. Drop-offs can be made Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.

Volunteers needed: To assist with wrapping holiday gifts, help with outreach and fundraising, set-up/take-down of holiday party, kitchen and meal preparation for holiday party, entertainment (singers, actors, comedians, dancers, musicians) for holiday party, and craft table volunteers for holiday party; Family Sponsorship Program (contact office for details)
Address: 357 Coxwell Avenue

Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto

This centre services aboriginal women and youth. Along with volunteering, the centre needs backpack care kits (including personal hygiene supplies), gift cards, down-filled sleeping bags, thermal winter clothes, and winter boots. Drop-offs can be made Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 10 am to 4:30 pm.

Volunteers needed: To assist with food preparation and serving dinner at Winter Solstice event
Address: 191 Gerrard Street East

Sistering, A Woman’s Place

Sistering serves marginalized, homeless and precariously-house women, many with substance use and mental health issues. Women’s products are always welcome, and this year the centre is asking for personal hygiene supplies, new socks and new underwear, gift cards (for grocery stores, Walmart), towels, and blankets. Drop-offs can be made 24/7, and weekdays are preferred.

Volunteers needed: To assist with decorating or making decorations, ironing table cloths, sorting/counting gift boxes, meal preparation in the kitchen
Address: 962 Bloor Street West

Syme Woolner Neighbourhood & Family Centre

The Syme Woolner Centre serves a wide range of visitors and in addition to volunteers, the centre is in need of grocery vouchers, non-perishable foods, monetary donations for meal program, and gifts for adults. Drop-offs can be made Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.

Volunteers needed: To assist with sorting toys during the week of December 22, assist with holiday events and serving of Christmas meal on December 25
Address: 2468 Eglinton Avenue West, Unit #3

University Settlement, Out of the Cold

This centre services homeless adults. In addition to volunteers, the centre is also in need of new men and women’s underwear, personal hygiene supplies (especially toothbrushes), blankets and sheets, and backpacks. Drop-offs can be made Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.

Volunteers needed: To assist with meal preparation and serving
Address: 23 Grange Road

Weston King Neighbourhood Centre

The Weston King Neighbourhood Centre serves seniors, homeless, substance users, and marginally housed people in Weston/Mount Dennis area. The centre is also in need of winter outerwear and accessories, personal hygiene supplies and feminine hygiene products, cleaning supplies, TTC tokens, and gifts cards for groceries. Drop-offs can be made Wednesday to Thursday from 8 am to 3 pm.

Volunteers needed: To assist with cleaning and maintenance of the centre; to assist with food preparation for Christmas Dinner. in the kitchen, serving of food, and clothing bank organizers needed
Address: 2017 Weston Road

Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke

The women’s centre helps support women and children who are survivors of abuse, 0+ to seniors. The centre is also in need of gift cards for groceries and drug stores, personal hygiene supplies, non-perishable food, household kitchen and bath items, and waterproof winter outerwear and accessories. Drop-offs can be made Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

Volunteers needed: To assist with set up and clean up of Holiday Dinner; to assist with donations pick-ups (car required)
Address: 140 Islington Avenue

YMCA of Greater Toronto, Elm Centre

This YMCA helps support women and girls of all ages. In addition to volunteers, the centre is also in need of women’s socks, underwear, pajamas (regular and plus sized), personal hygiene supplies and feminine hygiene products (non-scented), disposable diapers and wipes. Drop-offs can be made Wednesday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.

Volunteer: Corporate groups to assist with serving meals
Address: Elm Centre, 87 Elm Street

Youth Without Shelter

This youth shelter serves homeless youth between the ages of 16 and 24. This year the shelter is in need of gift cards for food and drug stores, sweatshirts and hoodies, new underwear, journals, and long distance pre-paid phone cards ($2 or $5 value). Drop-offs can be made by calling to make an arrangement at 416-748-0110 ext 26, 37 or 39.

Volunteers needed: To help with the Donate a Meal Program
Address: 9 Warrendale Crt.

See also

• The 1.3 km skating trail in Ontario you have to check out this winter
• 12 places to see spectacular holiday light displays near Toronto this year
• This Ontario park will transform into a magical light festival this winter (PHOTOS)