It’s that time of year again! Starting November 12th, we are having a winter clothing drive to help those who have a little less this cold season. You can contribute to the holiday spirit by placing new or lightly used clothing in your bin for the next few weeks, and our lovely drivers will pick them up for you. They’ll make sure the clothes are donated directly to the charity Spud has partnered with in your area. Each city has different needs and the charities have given us a list of high-priority items they’re searching for. See below for the specific needs in your area.
As part of our Spud mission, we emphasize the importance of community engagement and we know you value this too. We know Spud customers truly value the wellbeing of their local neighbourhoods and cities. We want to make sure everyone has a warm, comfortable winter so please look through your closet for gently used warm clothing or make a quick stop by a store to pick up a few important items. Reach out to your neighbours, friends, and family, the more clothing the better. We want to make giving easy for you.
We are partnering with separate charities for each of our four locations. Here are the charities being donated to in your communities and what they need:
Vancouver: Gift of Warmth Campaign and Union Gospel Mission
The Gift of Warmth provides local homeless folks with winter gear to keep them warm!
Regional Recycling’s Vancouver Depot (960 Evans Avenue ) services a large number of Binners. These people make their income by collecting beverage containers throughout the city and returning them for the deposit refund. These folks do the city a great service by separating the waste streams and ensuring that items that do not belong in landfills get returned to the recycling loop. They work very hard for their money, in all types of weather and in the winter it’s pretty wet out there.
With Fall upon us, Regional Recycling Vancouver is collecting warm personal items to provide these customers with the gift of warmth this wet and chilly season. Any leftover items donated by you will be given to the Union Gospel Mission in order to help with their programs.
Here’s a list of what they need:
- Warm coats
- Water resistant clothing
- New underwear and socks
- Toques
- Mittens/gloves
- Scarves
- Gently used boots or shoes
Victoria: Women In Need Community Cooperative
At Victoria Women In Need Community Cooperative (WIN), they support women along their journey between crisis, financial self-sufficiency and wellness. Their programs are there for women along each step of their journey. They are there when she is in crisis and needs to access essential goods, they are there when she is setting up her own home after leaving a transition house, they are there when she is building a strong community of support. And finally, when she is ready, they are there to provide training, education and financial support to help her achieve her goals of financial self-sufficiency and wellness.
Here’s what they need:
- Warm coats/jackets (Women/Men/Children)
- Sweaters/Sweatpants
- Shoes (Women/Children)
- Undergarments & socks
- Kitchen Items
- Toques
- Mittens/gloves
- Scarves
Calgary: Women in Need Society
Women In Need Society helps Calgary women and their families help themselves. Operating five destination thrift stores and four Family Resource Centres, our organization helps vulnerable women and their families live better lives. They provide basic items such as clothing, housewares and furniture to women in financial distress. They also provide women with support to reach educational and employment goals, run safe after-school activities for children, and facilitate programs for young girls that build leadership and self-esteem. They are grateful for your support! For more information please visit womeninneed.net.
Here’s a list of what they need:
- Warm coats/jackets (Women/children)
- Sweaters/Sweatpants
- Shoes (Women/Children)
- New undergarments & socks
- Kitchen Items
- Toques
- Mittens/gloves
- Scarves
Edmonton: WIN House
Since 1968, WIN House has given women and children of all ages, religion and culture a safe place to flee as they escape a domestic abuse environment. From passionate professionals and volunteers, to dedicated donors and champions of the cause, they’re committed to providing safety, support, relief and resources for victims of all forms of abuse (physical, emotional, spiritual, financial and more). WIN House operates a business office and 3 first-stage emergency shelters in the Edmonton area that can house up to 70 families at a time. WIN House I and II house women (with or without children) for up to 21 days and provide beds, meals, child care, counselling and more. Carol’s House is our third shelter that is designated to housing immigrant, refugee and trafficked women fleeing domestic abuse and other violence.
In the last year, WIN House provided a safe place to 290 women and over 430 children.
Here’s what they need:
- Winter coats for all (women and children aged infant to 18)
- Snowsuits for kids (infants to 12)
- Ski pants for kids
- Winter boots for all (women and children aged 2-18)
- Toques
- Mittens/gloves
- Scarves
- Warm socks for all
- Sweaters for all
- PJ’s for all