Special COVID-19-Related Needs
In these challenging times, our affiliate partners and other organizations have needs that you can help meet.
GOOD SHEPHERD
Volunteers needed to help make 800+ sandwiches per day and have them delivered to
clientsHanding out sandwiches as opposed to hosting seated meal times
Need food supplies including mayonnaise, mustard, cheese slices, sliced bread, packaged snacks (eg. granola bars, cookies, potato chips, dried fruit), portable fruit (eg. apples, oranges, bananas), canned tuna and meat, peanut butter and jam, juice boxes, bottled water, ground coffee, and tea.
Need supplies for the medical clinic including hand sanitizer, alcohol swabs, Imodium, Benylin, Reactine, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, Vicks VapoRub, Polysporin, and Visine.
Good Shepherd accepts drop offs, delivery of online orders, and monetary contributions.
LIGHT PATROL
Monetary support needed to make takeout food packages for street youth
Light patrol is still going out on outreach across the city to serve the hidden homeless
PREGNANCY CARE CENTRE
(Timebound - By March 25th) New baby bathtub and crib needed for expectant mom
(Urgent) Needed items for new mothers/parents:
Diapers (sizes 1,2,3), wipes, and formula
Cribs and travel systems (car seat + stroller unit)
Place an online order to have items delivered directly or make a donation to PCC who will, in turn, take care of making all the arrangements (contact Mabel for details)
SAFE FAMILIES
Groceries and supplies needed for single mom who is quarantined with her two
kids, monetary donation possible as well
UHN OPENLAB TEAM
Friendly Neighbour Hotline: Volunteers needed to participate in this program which offers assistance to the thousands of seniors living in Toronto Community Housing buildings across the city
The hotline is a single phone number that seniors needing assistance can call to be connected to a network of volunteers throughout the city who can help with picking up essentials during this difficult time
From the UHN OpenLab Team: Ensuring the safety of seniors who are seeking assistance from complete strangers is of utmost importance. To start, we have put together a Volunteer Intake Form (link) that will help us vet individuals participating in this effort. Please complete this form as soon as you can. We plan to go live with the Hotline this week, so your prompt cooperation is critical.
YONGE STREET MISSION (YSM)
Family-to-Family Fund Package: Monetary donations needed to cover the cost to prepare 2 weeks of food for individuals, couples, and families
a single person or couple: $60 per basket
family of 3-4: $90-$100 per basket
200+ people come every day for these baskets which are given out by staff
Donations needed for pre-packaged meals for Evergreen Centre for Street Youth and adults in the Bridges Program
These are ready-to-eat meals which do not require heating; all packages are served by paid staff, as they cannot have volunteers at this time
Evergreen: $12-$18 per package; serving 75 youth per day
Bridges: $10-$15 per package
Assemble and donate hygiene packages and cleaning packages
Hygiene packages may include: deodorant, adult diapers, body wash, shampoo, diapers, baby formula, baby food, etc.
Cleaning packages may include: Lysol wipes, spray, cleaning sponges, bathroom cleaners, anything that disinfects, etc.
Assemble and donate food hampers
Food hampers may include: pasta, pasta sauce, canned tuna, cookies, granola bars (peanut free), canned soup, canned vegetables, etc.
Need Community Ambassadors to spread the word that YSM is providing food packages; many places have closed and people in the community do not know where to go for food
We will continue to support our community members for as long as possible
Donations of fresh produce, including fruits, vegetables, bread, snacks, etc.
No longer getting deliveries, so YSM supplies of fresh produce is dwindling to nothing
For all monetary donations, please go to www.ysm.ca (link) and donate online, or call 416-929-9614 and press “0” to donate over the phone
YOUTH UNLIMITED (YU)
Young Parents Program: Items needed for Care Packages for the young parents served, including diapers (sizes 4-6 are in greater need), baby wipes, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products
For more information contact: mabel@gracetoronto.ca
Affiliate Needs
Our affiliate partners have needs that you can help meet including prayer support. Some of these programs are being temporarily suspended, but prayer is always needed and you should consider how you might serve ongoing needs once Covid-19 has passed.
ADAM HOUSE
Assemble and donate Start Up Kits (~$120) for residents leaving the house to settle in the community (Mabel has contents details)
PRAYER REQUESTS
Prayer for residents that Adam House be a pitstop on their long journey of asylum-seeking where they can get some rest and care, and meet some new friends who can support them in their journey forward
Prayer for residents who moved out of Adam House, that God put good neighbours into their lives who can help them adjust to life in their new communities
Prayer for a resident who has diabetes and high blood pressure who is receiving treatment at a hospital that he receive good care and protection from the virus
LIGHT PATROL
(Urgent) Drivers needed for some outreach nights on Mondays and Thursdays
Both the RV and the 12-seater health van need drivers
No special license requirements needed; though for the RV, the volunteer should have experience driving RVs (comfortable controlling a large vehicle downtown)
Volunteer to help organize incoming donations
Donate tarps, clothing (e.g. hoodies, warm socks, underwear, long johns), and winter gear (e.g. blankets); or donate money to purchase sleeping bags, waterproof bags
Food volunteers needed for the fall/winter term
PRAYER REQUESTS
Prayer for new youth to be open to receiving help and that that will lead to building important relationships in their lives
PREGNANCY CARE CENTRE
Volunteers needed -- women to walk alongside expecting mothers, and men to walk alongside soon-to-be fathers
Downtown location (U of T campus)
Tuesday or Thursday; afternoons especially, but evenings work too; once-a-month commitment
Donate baby clothing (contact Mabel for drop off details)
PRAYER REQUESTS
Prayer that Saturday outreach will continue to operate, so expecting mothers have the help they need on the weekend
SAFE FAMILIES
People who would be willing to host children in their homes, for a temporary period of time, in order to provide care and respite to parents who are in need of extended family-like support during a difficult time
Grace Gathering groups who are willing to be trained through Safe Families to be an extended family-like support for a family in crisis in our city
PRAYER REQUESTS
Prayer for a spirit of hospitality to grow among churches in the GTA
Prayer for God's protection and provision for families in our city who are isolated and alone amidst challenging circumstances
SQUADS
Join sports program for elementary kids, Thursday evenings
Join youth choir leadership team
PRAYER REQUESTS
Prayer that the Squads Ministry will be able to find a new building, so kids and youth in Regent Park can continue to attend programs in a convenient location
Prayer for the safety of families in Regent Park amidst rising gang violence, that their bodies and minds be protected
Prayer that during this time of quarantine, leaders and kids can meet together online to study the Bible, that the leaders would deliver the curriculum well and the kids would have the necessary equipment to join
TORONTO CITY MISSION
PRAYER REQUESTS
Prayer for families served by TCM
For more information contact: mabel@gracetoronto.ca