Winter Care Kits for the Homeless

As another winter season begins, I am once again thinking of those who have to face these harsh conditions day in, day out, on the streets of Toronto. Homelessness continues to impact our community with over 9000 people experiencing homelessness every night. Shelters have a 98% occupancy rate and nearly 20% of households in Toronto are experiencing food insecurity. The food banks, shelters and streets see new faces every day and every week, approximately 4 people lose their lives as a result of being unhoused. For this reason, I am continuing the winter care kits initiative once again to provide a bit of relief to these vulnerable members of our society.

The goal this year is to raise $7000 in order to prepare 140 kits for distribution. The kits will contain the following items:

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

* COVID Essentials (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 until the last week of December. All items will then be purchased, kits will be assembled and distributed the first week of January.

As I go into the fourth year of this initiative, I am incredibly grateful to every person who has allowed this to be a continued way of giving back. Without the collective effort of you all, this work would not be possible. Thank you for your continued support. Thank you for your encouragement, for spreading the word, for lending your suggestions, for being generous with your time as well as your money. 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 and I am floored but above all, humbled by how many of you open your hearts to those in need every year. We all need community and you all have been an integral part of mine. Thank you.

Much Love,

Hareem