Here’s what Toronto shelters are asking for this holiday season

As the cold weather approaches, members of our community experiencing homelessness will need some extra help staying warm for the winter. If you’re one of the many residents in Toronto looking to give back to those less fortunate this holiday season, there are a few community organizations accepting holiday donations.

Many of these organizations have shared a list of things they need this month. The City of Toronto lists shelters and agencies with its own Holiday Wish Lists, highlighting the needs of the community members it serves.

What should I donate?

Items may include gift cards, warm winter clothing, socks, track suits, undergarments, food and hygiene products.

The site provides information regarding holiday donation drop-off and hours of operation. If you’re looking to do more, some agencies also have volunteer opportunities.

Here are a few agencies in Toronto accepting donations and what’s on their wishlists:

• 1677 Wilson Shelter Program – 1677 Wilson Ave.
  • Client group: Adults experiencing homelessness
  • Needs: Gift cards (e.g. movies, sports games), winter hats, gloves, scarves, boots, jackets, clothing, socks, hygiene supplies, art supplies, and board games.
• Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre – 973 Lansdowne Ave.
  • Client group: Men experiencing homelessness, drop-in (all)
  • Needs: Men’s winter hats, scarves, gloves, razors and shaving cream, boxers (S-L), hoodies and T-shirts (S-XL); unisex pyjama pants or sets (S-XL), deodorant, socks

• Christie Refugee Welcome Centre – 43 Christie St.
  • Client group: Refugee families and asylum seekers
  • Needs: Grocery gift cards, diapers (sizes 5 and 6), body lotion, deodorant, body wash
• Eva’s Initiatives – 60 Brant St.
  • Client group: Youth experiencing homelessness, ages 16-24
  • Needs: Gift cards (e.g. restaurants, grocery, transit, clothing, Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, etc.), socks, underwear, sports bras (all genders, all sizes), Black haircare, skin and makeup items, hygiene Items (e.g. full-size strongly preferred, razors, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, soap, bodywash), menstrual products
• Fred Victor on Caledonia – 1161 Caledonia Rd.
  • Client group: Adult pet-friendly shelter
  • Needs: Gift cards (e.g. grocery, big-box retailers, pharmacies), new or gently used clothing (all sizes and types), winter gear (e.g. coats, hats, gloves, boots), hygiene products, non-perishable holiday treats, pet supplies (e.g. leashes, food, toys, etc.)

• Horizons for Youth – 422 Gilbert Ave.
  • Client group: Youth ages 16-24
  • Needs: Gift cards (e.g. Tim Horton’s, McDonald’s, Amazon, Walmart), new underwear, undershirts, and bralettes, pyjamas and slippers (all sizes, genders), hygiene products (e.g. body wash, shampoo, body lotion), wireless headphones
• Progress Place – 576 Church St.
  • Client group: Adults with mental illness
  • Needs: Gift cards, new winter items (e.g. boots, shoes), new clothing (e.g. underwear, socks), hygiene products

• Street Haven at the Crossroads – 87 Pembroke St.
  • Client group: Women
  • Needs: Gift cards (e.g. grocery, pharmacies, clothing, transit passes), hygiene products (e.g. toothbrushes & toothpaste (individually packaged), deodorant, body wash/soap bars, shampoo/conditioner, feminine hygiene products, moisturizers, razors/shaving cream, hairbrushes, combs, hair ties, nail clippers/emery boards, lip balm, travel-size hygiene kits), clothing and accessories (all sizes), new underwear (all sizes), warm socks, pajamas & loungewear, winter gear (e.g. coats, gloves, scarves, hats),  slippers or cozy indoor shoes, bras (sports, regular, all sizes), new or gently used electronics & communication products (e.g. cell phones, chargers, portable power banks, prepaid phone cards or SIM cards, headphones, earbuds, tablets/laptops or e-readers), backpacks, tote bags, reusable water bottles, journals, pens, day planners, calendars, umbrellas, cozy blankets or throws, stuffed animals, scent-free candles, essential oil rollers, adult coloring books & colored pencils, puzzle books (e.g. crosswords, Sudoku, etc.)
• Women’s Residence – 674 Dundas St. W.
  • Client group: Women
  • Needs: Winter coats and boots

• Youth Without Shelter – 6 Warrendale Crt., Etobicoke
  • Client group: Youth aged 16 to 24 experiencing homelessness
  • Needs: Black haircare products, body lotion, new clothing (e.g. sweatshirts, sweatpants, long & short sleeve T-shirts, pyjamas, tights), winter boots, grocery gift cards

For the full list of agencies and how to properly donate items, visit the City of Toronto website.

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Karen Doradea

Managing Editor, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Crave, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.

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