Winter Care Kits for the Homeless

On any given night, approximately 10k people in Toronto experience homelessness. Shelters have a 98% occupancy rate. Nearly 20% of households in Toronto are experiencing food insecurity, with the number of visits to food banks up 16% in the past year. With the rising cost of living and inflation, the streets are seeing new faces everyday. COVID cases are also on the rise yet again and as we enter our third COVID winter, I will be preparing winter care kits for the homeless community once again this year.

The goal this year is to raise $5000 in order to prepare 100 kits for distribution. The kits will contain the following items:

* Winter Essentials (2 pairs of socks, hat, gloves, hand warmers)

* COVID Essentials (25 face masks, hand sanitizer, wipes)

* Personal Hygiene Items (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, floss, comb, razors)

* Female Sanitary Products (pads & tampons)

* $20 Food Gift Card (Tim Horton's, McDonald's, Subway)

* Mini First Aid Kit

* Granola Bars

* Notebook & Pen

* Powerbank

Donations will be accepted for the next 4 weeks, up until December 24th. All items will then be purchased, kits will be assembled and distributed the final week of December.

Thank you to everyone in advance; to those who will donate, to those who will spread the word, to those who will offer their suggestions and words of encouragement. I am very grateful to each and every one of you for allowing this initiative to exist and to reach its goal, year over year. Without the support, this effort would not be possible and I am humbled by how many of you open your hearts to those in need every year. Thank you.

Much Love,

Hareem