Peace River Regional Women’s Shelter is noticing people are currently feeling the pinch of tight budgets and they’re asking anyone able to help contribute many of their sought-after items.
“Without the kindness of our community members’ donations, we wouldn’t be able to meet all the needs of our clients and provide them with clothing options,” says executive director Sandra O’Doherty.
“We have a long list of items that we continually accept to help our current and new clients.”
O’Doherty says they are currently in need of women’s winter boots. They are also asking for old cell phones to be donated to their program, if people are willing.
“A lot of our clients can’t afford one and we can’t afford to buy them,” she says.
“If people are feeling extra Christmas spirit, we could use gift cards for places like Tim Hortons and other businesses. We are feeling that people are reaching the point of having to choose between paying rent or mortgage and feeding their kids.”
Items requested include all sizes of women’s and children’s clothing, in particular at this juncture winter clothing. Underwear and socks for both women and children, toothbrushes and toothpaste, all period products, hairbrushes and hair ties, and many other items, are needed.
“Now with the extra stress of Christmas, we have children come to our door on behalf of their parents for bread and milk, just the basics,” O’Doherty explains.
“I know it is hard for a lot of people to pay bills at the moment, but our clients are having a really tough time. We don’t say no and sometimes that’s at the detriment of our grocery budget. It’s really tough times out there.”
The shelter also has two period pantries that they keep stocked up in the community, one near the women’s shelter and one beside the Mental Health building at 10011 98 Street. Both pantries are restocked as needed and depending on donations received.
“Most people are unable to pay rent, utilities, food and gas let alone period products now,” she says.
“We are seeing the demand for the period products increase monthly,” she adds.
O’Doherty says the period pantries and donations help to provide security for the women in the community, knowing they can go to school, work, or about normal activities and not have to stay home during their period.
The group can take donations at the shelter, monetary donations, gift cards or any of the items mentioned.
For the safety of the clients in care, please first call the shelter at (780) 624-3466 to arrange a drop off.
Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter