Welcome Basket Project
Working together with other North Toronto Churches who collaborate on Social Justice initiatives, we are creating Welcome Baskets for people across the city.
What is the Welcome Basket Project?
This is an effort to help people currently living in our homeless shelters transition to their own independent housing. Remember when you moved into your first apartment on your own and you needed a pot to boil water, a plate to put your dinner on, a wooden spoon, some cutlery, a glass for water, sheets and a towel? That’s what’s in a starter kit. Click on this link to see the list of items in a Welcome Basket.
Who will be receiving the Welcome Baskets?
We initially prepared Welcome Baskets for the residents at the Roehampton Shelter. In the Spring and Fall of 2022 we delivered our Welcome Baskets to the Scarborough Women’s Shelter located at Markham Rd and the 401. The Roehampton Shelter has permanently closed as of August ’23 and ESG will be sending all future Welcome Baskets to the Scarborough Women’s Shelter as the coordinating operations will work from that location.
Please read the letter that was received from Edward, a Roehampton shelter resident who moved into permanent housing on Dec 3, 2020, supported by one of our first Welcome Baskets.
“Ending up at the Roehampton was eye opener for me as I’ve never been homeless. Slowly talking with Leroy other staff members including some security staff that I hold very close to my heart, I realized my life was not over just yet. This homeless shelter actually saved my life as crazy as that sounds!”
Read Edward’s complete story here.
How can I participate?
- Donate items (new or gently used) from the contents list to include in a basket
- Make a financial donation
- Help us put the baskets together for delivery
Next Steps: Creating our Welcome Baskets
Dates :TBD but look and listen for announcements towards the end of October!
Donating items: In late October look for the Welcome Basket Table display just under the bulletin board by the mail room. You may drop off your donated items at this location.
Next Steps: Making a Financial Donation
If you have already culled your cupboards of extra items and don’t want to go out to shop, perhaps you would prefer to make a financial contribution. ESG Outreach is purchasing new sheets and towels, any items that are not donated, as well as a $50 grocery gift card to include in the basket. Your financial contribution will assist in providing these items.
Next Steps: Putting the Baskets Together
Once we have gathered all that is needed to start putting the baskets together, there will be an announcement in the Thursday Newsletter with a date for preparation. Please contact Marion Axmith (marionaxmith@rogers.com) to volunteer to help wrestle all the items into a Laundry basket!