December 1, 2014
If you are looking for a way to help people who are homeless and vulnerable this holiday season, consider taking advice from the community agencies who serve them. The City of Toronto surveyed agencies that run shelters, drop-ins and other services for homeless people to ask them what would bring cheer to their clients during the holidays.
"These organizations serve our city's most vulnerable people so the need is for everything from clothing and toiletries to vouchers for food and TTC tokens," said Phillip Abrahams, General Manager of Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, the division that co-ordinates funding and services for homeless people in Toronto. "Many agencies are also looking for volunteers to help out over the holidays with things like serving food, wrapping gifts and sorting donations."
The website lists the agencies that responded to the survey, the items their clients need, volunteer opportunities, holiday events and contact information.
The most common items on the wish list this year are toiletries, winter clothing and gift cards for groceries – things that seem like everyday items but can make a big difference to an individual or family in need.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit
http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contact: Jennifer Phillips, Shelter Support & Housing Administration, 416-397-5142, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
