Belinda's Place is holding a donation drive in hopes of receiving items that meet the specific demand of its clients.
On Oct. 18 to 20, the women's shelter at 16580 Yonge St. in Newmarket will be accepting donations, with a preferred list of items provided that will meet the needs of the women they work with. It is being organized by drop-in coordinator Jessica Pushkarna.
"I noticed that a lot of the donations that we get are feminine hygiene products or clothes that don't fit all women. So I just wanted to start something where we could supply the girls with different objects that they might need, supplies they might need, clothes that fit, underwear that fit them all," she said.
The list of items includes tents, sleeping bags, hair brushes, hair ties, backpacks, suitcases, jackets, gloves, Hot Paws, Thermoses, underwear from size small to XXXL, sports bras from size small to XXL, long johns, balaclavas, blankets, scarves, sweaters, sweatpants, wet wipes, first aid supplies, reusable water bottles, rain ponchos, Kleenex, and pregnancy tests.
"We have a lot of women that can't afford to go and buy pregnancy tests and they come and stay at the shelter, so I just felt as if that would be something to be donated," Pushkarna said.
The shelter accepts donations of gently used items regularly but she said for this drive, she is hoping to get a lot of new items coming in too.
Donations are being accepted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on all three days. Pushkarna said they will be set up closer to the parking lot and side door of the shelter. Hot chocolate and cookies will be offered as a thank you to the community.
