Traditionally, the holidays are the biggest time of year for donations to non-profits. People tend to be more generous and give more to help those in need during the time of year that we all focus on giving.
But not everyone is able to make monetary donations at this time of year. As the cost of living has increased over the years, so has the challenge of finding money to give to the less fortunate.
That’s why we have put together a list of charitable organizations that accept non-monetary donations. This list is for anyone who can’t afford to donate money, but is still looking to give this holiday season.
Here are just a few charities in Halton, Mississauga and nearby Toronto you can support with non-monetary donations.
#1 – The ReStore
Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga has ReStore locations in Mississauga, Burlington and Milton. The ReStore is a retail warehousing operation that takes donations of home furnishings and sells them to the public at a greatly reduced price.
The money raised by our ReStores goes right back into our build projects, so your donation of a couch will play a role in putting a roof over the head of the less fortunate.
Here’s a list of everything the ReStore accepts as donations:
Bedroom
· dressers
· night tables
· bed frames
· desks (no larger than 4 ft)
Construction Materials
· Interior and exterior doors
· Windows
· Unused construction materials
· Unused flooring (tile, hardwood, laminate, vinyl)
· Unused paint
· Lighting (chandeliers, lanterns, lamps, potlights)
Kitchens
· Kitchen cabinets
· Kitchen hardware
· Unused cabinet doors
· Cutlery
· Dishware
· Cookware
· Bakeware
· Sinks
· Stone countertops
· Kitchen tables
Electronics
· TVs
· DVD/VCR players
· Stereos and radios
· Electric fans and space heaters
· Fridges
· Stoves
· Barbecues
· Dishwashers
· Washers and dryers
· Microwaves
· Kitchen Tables
Dining and Living Room
· Chairs
· Tables
· End tables
· Credenzas
· Book shelves
· Sofas
· Love seats
· Kitchen Tables
The ReStore is able to send drivers to pickup your donations for a fee, but all three of our locations accept drop off donations as well
You can find all the information about how to give to our ReStores here:
https://www.hfhrestore.com/
#2 – Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has been doing work in North America since the end of the 1800’s and are synonymous with holiday giving. But if you can’t afford to give one of their holiday helpers some change at the mall or in the city, the Salvation Army Thrift Store is always in need of donations as well.
The thrift store takes clothing, housewares, furniture, electronics, toys, media, accessories, antiques, and computers.
If you would like more information, here’s how you can get in touch with your local Salvation Army store.
Salvation Army Mississauga 905 270 6275
Salvation Army Burlington 905 633 8762
Salvation Army Oakville 905 845 2351
Salvation Army Milton 905 864 0948
#3 – Children’s Book Bank
The Children’s Book Bank is a Toronto-based organization that accepts donations of books for children living in low-income communities. Their goal is to increase literacy rates in lower-income communities as higher literacy rates are linked to poverty reduction.
In 2016 the organization gave 120,000 donated books to children.
The book bank operates a storefront space in the Regent Park/St. James Town neighbourhood. Visiting children can take one book per visit. The organization also provides a number of literacy based programming at their storefront.
For more information head to https://www.childrensbookbank.com
#4 – Jessie’s: The June Callwood Centre for Young Women
Jessie’s is an organization established in 1982 that offers comprehensive services to pregnant teenagers and young mothers in need. They help them face obstacles like social isolation and poverty by providing a range of services to the women and children they support.
Jessie’s is located in downtown Toronto at 205 Parliament Street and accepts the following items:
• clothing for women clothing for women clothing for women aged 15-20
• clothing for children up to size 6/6X, including bibs, blankets and hats
• footwear for women and children
• Car seats and strollers (including double strollers) that are within five (5) years of manufacture that are in excellent condition and have been thoroughly cleaned
• undamaged small household items
• undamaged baby equipment: exercisers, high chairs, swings, play yards and bouncers
• infant carriers
• undamaged toys appropriate for ages 0-3.
• New bed linens for cribs, single, double and queen beds
• New bath towels
• New and as-new board books
#5 – Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic organization that works worldwide to assist the poor. Established in France in 1833, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has since expanded to 140 countries, including Canada in 1846.
The organization has grown, and has assisted over 400,000 people in need across Canada.
They are very prominent across the province in Ontario, and have a community store in Port Credit at 265 Lakeshore Rd East.
St. Vincent de Paul accepts donations of clothing, furniture and various household goods.
For information head to https://ssvp.on.ca