Do you know of a family who needs a little help this Christmas? There are many ways to help others during the holiday season and throughout the year. The following local toy drives and food donation opportunities can provide much-needed assistance, sustenance and smiles to those in need.
TOY DRIVES
Salvation Army Christmas Assistance
Individuals and families in need are supported through various outreach activities during the Christmas season. Food vouchers are distributed and a Christmas Fellowship dinner is an annual occurrence. The Toy Depot is also set up for parents to ‘shop’ free of charge for their children through to 17 years of age.
salvationarmyoakville.ca
Operation Christmas Child
Shoeboxes are filled by Canadians with hygiene items, school supplies, toys, and candy, and are given to children regardless of gender, race, or religion. In 2014, shoeboxes will be distributed in Uruguay, El Salvador, Guatemala, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Venezuela, Equatorial Guinea, Costa Rica, Guinea, Haiti, Nicaragua, Chile (including Easter Island), and Senegal (listed destination countries are subject to change). In addition to the items in the shoebox, a $7 minimum donation is required to pay for shipping. Click here to find a shoebox collection centre near you. Shoeboxes must be dropped off between November 17 to 23, 2014.
samaritanspurse.ca
The Shoebox Project Burlington & Oakville
The Shoebox Project collects and distributes gifts in the form of shoeboxes to women in shelters in Canada. Last year, thanks to the generosity of countless Canadians in December 2013, the Shoebox Project delivered gifts to 9,100 women in 188 shelters and outreach programs in 26 communities across the country! Each shoebox is filled with items valued at $50 that a woman would enjoy but would not splurge on for herself in difficult times. These shoeboxes brighten the holiday season and let the women know they are special and not forgotten. Putting together a shoebox is easy and this small gesture of kindness is very much appreciated by its recipient.
shoeboxproject.com
Halton Children’s Aid Foundation
The Halton Children’s Aid Society assists children and youth who have experienced abuse, neglect or family trauma. Often families have limited resources or are challenged in other ways and they are unable to provide gifts, food or other basic needs for their children and youth over the Winter season. The HCA’s goal is to enhance the quality of the Holiday Season by providing necessities and gifts to the children, youth and families we serve in the Halton Community. Funds received during the Holidays are used to provide children and youth in the care of the Halton CAS with traditional celebrations that include gift exchanges and more.
cafh.ca
Toys for Tots
Click here for a complete list of Toys for Tots drop-off locations. For a list of gift ideas for children/teens aged 10-16, click here. For more information, contact Jody Wilson at 905-825-4747 ext. 4TOT (4868). haltonpolice.ca
Oakville Fire Fighters Toy Drive
Each year the Oakville Firefighters collect toys for families in need within the Oakville community. Bring your toy to your local Fire Station before December 18, 2014 to make sure every child can receive a toy by Christmas.
oakvillefirefighterstoydrive.com
Burlington Salvation Army
Each year at Christmas, The Salvation Army Community & Family Services of Burlington provides Food Hampers and a Grocery Gift Card to Burlington families in need. They also provide Christmas gifts for children in the custody of those families for all children up to 14 years of age.
sally-ann.org
FOOD HAMPERS / FOOD DRIVES
Burlington Foodshare
For a list of drop-off locations in Burlington and suggested food items to donate, visit Burlington Food Share’s web site.
burlingtonfoodshare.ca
Oakville Foodshare
Food and monetary donations are appreciated.
oakvillefoodbank.com
Kerr Street Christmas Wonders
Every dollar donated translates into $1.09. The gift cards are then distributed fairly amongst our families, who in turn go and shop for their own children’s Christmas presents. Each member of the family will receive a $25 gift card for food and $50 for a gift. Should you wish to go out and purchase the gift cards yourself, Wal-Mart, Target, Loblaw’s, Metro in $25 dollar denominations are suggested items.
kerrstreet.com
Partnership West Family Support Network
Offers many ways to donate. Visit the web site for details.
partnershipwest.org
Food For Life Annual Turkey Drive
Help a family in need this Christmas by giving your time at Food for Life’s Annual Christmas Turkey Drive: Saturday December 13th from 9am–4pm at six Fortinos/Loblaws locations in Oakville & Burlington. Looking for volunteers (students, churches, individuals, families and corporate groups) to encourage shoppers to donate a turkey to Food for Life and help a hungry family this holiday season. Please contact Ian Gibbons at 905-630-3543 or email ian@foodforlife.ca.
foodforlife.ca
Christmas Miracle Drive @ Burlington Alliance Church
We are excited to once again have the opportunity to bless those in need in our community. This year we will be working with several local schools to gather together gifts and food hampers to be distributed to local families.
burlingtonalliance.com
