The number of charities in our great city is something to be proud of and all reach out with caring arms to address the many needs in our area. None of these good deeds could be done, however, without volunteers and the many people who support the organizations by dipping into their pockets and sending those much needed etransfers. It is said that charity begins at home, but it really begins when people step up to the plate and deliver aid either by giving of their time and/or their finances. And why? Because we’ve all had some bad luck in our lives, and we know that giving is the essence of humanity.
Here are just a few of the many charities in Thunder Bay who do good work and need our support.
The Dew Drop Inn
For forty-four years the Dew Drop Inn has been a safe and welcoming place providing nourishing daily meals while building a community of inclusion, dignity and respect. “We’re firm believers that everyone deserves a good meal with no judgment or questions asked,” Executive Director Michael Quibell says. With a strong volunteer pool of over 400, as well as strong support from the community, they’re able to provide an average of 450 meals/lunches per day and approximately 160,000 lunches per year. “We feel that knowing a good meal is available daily at the Dew lifts a bit of weight off of already burdened shoulders,” Michael says.
The Dew Drop Inn volunteers are busy with numerous fundraising events throughout the year. They offer inhouse Take & Bake meat pies and desserts year-round and a Trivia Night in the spring with their friends at Roots Community Food Centre. This year they were proud to be part of the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign. Their travelling BBQ during the summer is very popular as well as the golf tournament in early October. Their “Dinner from the Dew” in October in partnership with the United Way is always a hit.
And why do they do it? “We recognize that what we do is a temporary band aid to the growing food insecurity issues in Thunder Bay,” Michael states. “But we also recognize that it is inappropriate for men, women, and children to go hungry until solutions are in place to eradicate poverty.”
There are hundreds of stories that come out of the Dew Drop Inn that remind volunteers that every good deed does have a ripple effect. Anna, with her service dog, Sparky, was a patron of the Dew for well over a year as she juggled a fixed income while undergoing two major surgeries. When she saved enough money so she could move west to a gentler climate, she decided to pay it forward. “I always planned to donate back the money the Dew Drop Inn saved me as I pursued my goal. So now I’m ready to do that!” Anna says with great appreciation.
The Dew Drop Inn is incredibly grateful for the community support. “A heartfelt thank you to everyone out there for the part that you play in our compassion kitchen,” Michael says with a grin. “We simply could not do what we do without you!”
To learn more or donate, go to www.dewdropinnthunderbay.ca
Community Clothing Assistance
Community Clothing Assistance (CCA) is a local registered charity dedicated to reducing the effects of poverty by providing free and affordable clothing to people in need throughout Thunder Bay. Partnering with over 150 local organizations, they distribute over 6,000 pieces of free clothing each month to individuals and families facing financial hardship. They also provide gently used clothing at symbolic prices for purchase by people in the community to help sustain their charitable work.
One of their most meaningful initiatives is the Undercover Project, which provides new socks and underwear for free to local children in need each year. “These basic essentials are often overlooked,” General Manager Vishesh Nayyar says,”Last year alone, this project supported over 1,600 local children, and this year they aim to reach even more.”
“Right now, we’re in great need of new socks and underwear donations, particularly in youth and adult sizes S, M, and XL for both boys and girls, as many children are outgrowing smaller sizes,” Vishesh says. For a list of the 53 locations where you can drop off new socks and underwear, go to their website at clothingassistance.com.
There are thousands of stories that lift Vishesh’s spirit but one that stands out involves a single mother and her two children who lost everything in a house fire. Through their Referral Program, she received new clothing for herself and her two children, helping them rebuild their lives from the ground up. “She shared how her kids felt confident again walking into school with clean clothes and warm jackets—something many of us take for granted,” Vishesh says.
“Every donation, whether it’s a new pack of socks, a few dollars, or volunteer time – helps us continue providing essential clothing and dignity to those who need it most,” Vishesh says with a huge smile.
To learn more or make a donation you can visit them at 404 May St. N. or go to www.clothingassistance.com
Isthmus Canada
Isthmus Canada, a registered volunteer run Canadian Charity, helps feed children during weekends, who otherwise would go hungry while schools are closed. The Thunder Bay branch feeds over 400 children every school year in twenty of our elementary schools. Last year, they delivered over 16,800 bags of food to Thunder Bay’s hungry children so they could come to school the following Monday ready to learn. They rely heavily on volunteers to pack the bags and deliver them to the schools using a van loaned to them by Half-Way Motors.
The program costs approximately $120 per child per school year. “The Thunder Bay Community has been great in fundraising and donating funds to keep the program going,” coordinator Amina Abu-Bakare says. Every year individuals, small businesses and organizations have raised and donated funds for Isthmus, either through food drives and/or monetary donations.
“Children cannot learn if they’re hungry,” Amina states. “With Isthmus, children come to school on Mondays eager to learn. Attendance has gone up and even when the children miss school, they turn up for their bags of food”.
While a local wholesaler, Cav-Tal supplies the majority of the food items at cost, extras like fruit and vegetables are donated. You can visit their website at isthmus.ca/donate. Just be sure to choose Thunder Bay as your city of choice since Isthmus works in 18 cities across Canada.
Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre
The Salvation Army’s goal is to transform lives while providing support for people on their wellness journey. “We provide practical assistance in the form of shelter and food,” says Executive Director, Gary Ferguson. “But that’s only the beginning. Ultimately, our goal is to help move those we assist to a better place in their lives, providing them with stability, independent living, and less reliance on social assistance.” The staff also supports people struggling with mental illness and addictions, through all of their programs, helping to stabilize their lives and successfully transition them into the community.
And why do the hundreds of volunteers work so hard to help the people in our community? “Our Centre’s mission is serving the practical and spiritual needs of our community with compassion, dignity, and respect,” says Gary.
There are many stories about people who have been the recipients of this kindness. Gary shares one about a gentleman who developed debilitating anxiety and was unable to work and eventually ended up homeless. “He found his way to our Centre and over time entered the Journey to Life Transitional Program,” Gary says.
While in the program, he learned coping skills, sought medical assistance, developed confidence, and eventually moved out into his own apartment. “Today, he’s able to move about in the community and volunteers regularly.
He’s one of our most faithful Kettle volunteers,” Gary adds with a big smile.
To support this very important cause you can donate at any of the twelve Christmas kettle host locations as well as a number of tiptap counter-top sites. With the recent addition of tiptap donation devices, you can now donate using your credit or debit card if you don’t carry cash. Donations can be made at www.journeytolifecentre.com.
