These are the most needed items at Toronto shelters this holiday season

The holiday season is a time of warmth, family, friends, and food.

But unfortunately, that’s not the case for everyone in Toronto.

If you’re interested in making a difference in someone’s life this holiday season, there are a few ways that you can give back.

• See also:
  • There’s now a shelter bus rolling through the city to help those in need
    

While a select number of Toronto organizations and shelters are looking for extra helping hands this season, the best way to give back is to donate the items that are in high-demand during winter.

Looking to give back? Look no further – Toronto's Holiday Wish List is a one-stop resourcefor spreading cheer to those experiencing homelessness. Check it out today https://t.co/eatAGRhyqM pic.twitter.com/uBWiOKNGEQ

— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) December 6, 2019

While there are 50 shelters and organizations in need of specific items this winter, (you can find the full list here), here are the organizations in the GTA that are really in need this holiday season:

East York

Kennedy House Youth Services Shelter Program

Clients: Homeless youth

Items needed: New pyjamas, bathrobes, undergarments (children/youth/adults), hygiene products, slippers/flip flops, headphones/earbuds, makeup, hats, gloves, scarves, gift cards, board games, toys (ages 6-12)

Address: 1076 Pape Avenue

Drop-offs: Head office, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm; Shelter, 9 am to 8 pm

Etobicoke

Albion Neighbourhood Services

Clients: Homeless, low-income residents including youth and children

Items needed: Grocery gift cards, winter coats and clothing, sleeping bags, hygiene products, bedding, first aid kits, gift cards for food, clothing, and coffee.

Address: 21 Panorama Court Suite 14

Drop-offs: Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 4 pm

North York

Wigwamen Inc

Clients: Indigenous people living in shelters, second stage housing or housed

Items needed: Toys, school supplies, clothing, personal hygiene items, bedding, towels, and related household items

Address: 23 Lesmill Road Unit 106

Drop-offs: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm

Scarborough

Agincourt Community Services Association

Clients: Homeless adults

Items needed: Men’s winter jackets (size L/XL), women’s winter jackets (size M/L), men’s winter boots (size 11,12,13), women’s winter boots (size 8, 9, 10), feminine hygiene products, long johns, sweatpants, and toiletries.

Address: 4155 Sheppard Avenue East Suite 100

Drop-offs: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm

Homes First Society

Clients: Homeless adults living with mental health and addiction concerns, refugees, newcomers, survivors of violence and abuse

Items needed: Winter gear (coats, boots, hats, scarves, gloves, sweaters), undergarments, toiletries, unopened chocolates and candies, and gift cards (FreshCo., No Frills, Walmart).

Address: 90 Shuter Street 2nd Floor

Drop-offs: Monday to Sunday 9 am to 5 pm

Warden Woods Community Centre Drop-in Lunch Program

Clients: Homeless adults

Items needed: Warm winter wear/clothing (men/women’s), hats, new socks, new underwear, gift cards (hot drinks/food), bingo machine/other games, and holiday gifts (men/women’s).

Address: 40 Teesdale Pl.

Drop-offs: Monday to Friday, 11 am to 3 pm

Warden Woods Community Centre Homelessness and Eviction Prevention

Clients: Homeless and precariously housed adults

Items needed: Personal hygiene supplies (toothbrush, soap, body wash, shampoo, shaving cream, razor), socks, mittens, and scarves.

Address: 605 Kenndy Road

Drop-offs: Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 4 pm

YouthLink

Clients: Youth, co-ed (ages 12-24) and their pets

Items needed: Gift cards – $10 to $15 denomination (Tim Horton’s, Walmart, Dollarama, Giant Tiger, grocery stores, McDonald’s, drug stores), women and men undergarments, toiletries, canned and dry food, women and men hoodies (M-XXL), slippers and sneakers (women sizes 7-9, men 8-12), toques, mittens, gloves, and scarves.

Address: 636 Kennedy Road

Drop-offs: Monday to Friday – call for more info (416-597-1773 x.254, 437-772-3826)

Toronto

Fred Victor

Clients: Low-income adults experiencing difficulty in day-to-day living as a result of severe and persistent mental health challenges and/or substance use challenges

Items needed: Winter coats and clothing (plus sizes), hygiene supplies, undergarments, gift cards, and passes to Toronto attractions.

Drop-offs: Monday to Friday, 8 am 4 pm

Homes First Society

Clients: Homeless adults living with mental health and addiction concerns, refugees, newcomers, and victims violence and abuse

Items needed: Winter gear (coats, boots, hats, scarves, gloves, sweaters), undergarments, toiletries, unopened chocolates and candies, and gift cards (FreshCo., No Frills, Walmart).

Address: 702 Kennedy Road

Drop-offs: Monday to Sunday 9 am to 5 pm

Houselink Community Homes

Clients: Individuals and families living with mental health concerns

Items needed: Winter clothing/outerwear (women and men – all sizes), board games, books, electronics, gift cards, and event tickets.

Address: 805 Bloor Street West

Drop-offs: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 12 pm to 6 pm

Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (Youth Transitional House)

Clients: Housing 10 Aboriginal youths

Items needed: Hygiene supplies, gift cards, and anything would be useful to put under the tree for the youths.

Address: 382 Dundas Street East

Drop-offs: Monday and Friday 9 am to 5 pm

Sanctuary

Clients: Homeless experiencing addictions and mental health

Items needed: Sleeping bags, winter coats and boots, and men’s jeans and hoodies.

Address: 25 Charles Street East

Drop-offs: Monday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm; Tuesday, 10 am to 4 pm; Thursday, 4 pm to 10 pm

Seaton House

Clients: Homeless adult men

Items needed: Warm men’s clothing, winter boots and coats, gift cards, and toiletries.

Address: 399 George Street

Drop-offs: Email [email protected] to make arrangements

Street Health

Clients: Homeless and under-housed individuals

Items needed: Sleeping bags (new and used and must be in good condition and freshly washed), new winter clothing, and accessories (men’s long johns, socks, toques, hats, gloves, scarves).

Address: 338 Dundas Street East

Drop-offs: Monday 9 am to 5 pm; Tuesday, 11 am to 5 pm; Wednesday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm

York

Horizons for Youth

Clients: Homeless and at-risk youth

Items needed: Gift certificates (malls, stores, fast-food restaurants, coffee shops, movie theatres), new clothing, pyjama bottoms, hoodies, sweat pants, leggings, gloves, toques, scarves, underwear (men/women’s adult sizes), and toiletries.

Address: 422 Gilbert Avenue

Drop-offs: Open 24/7. Please deliver gifts by December 16, 2019.

Weston King Neighbourhood Centre

Clients: Marginalized people

Items needed: Sleeping bags, kitchen cleaning supplies, winter coats and clothing and winter boots (women & men), toiletries, pet food, and bedding.

Address: 2017 Weston Road

Drop-offs: Wednesday and Thursday, 11 am to 3 pm; Saturday, 1 pm to 2 pm

Clients: Marginalized population

A full list of all 50 shelters and organizations accepting donations can be found here.