According to one of Calgary’s biggest donation programs, it is urgently in need of funding as its supply of free furniture items is rapidly running out.
The free goods program at the Calgary Drop-In Centre offers low-income families and individuals free furniture and other essential household items.
The donation warehouse, which is located at 3640 11A Street N.E., has more than 15 appointments per day, seven days a week, for people to drop by and pick up what they need.
Supply is alarmingly low, according to program manager Chris Kavanagh.
“We are now seeing wait times to use this program backing up as far as mid-December and so that is hundreds and hundreds of families that are waiting to furnish their homes,” said Kavanagh.
“We are working to extend the warmest welcome to the many refugees who are currently arriving in our lovely city from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and other places where they are experiencing political and economic hardship.”
Currently, a home needs end tables, kitchen tables, coffee tables, dressers, shelves, chairs, couches, and the majority of large furniture pieces.
The program was recommended by Calgary’s Centre for Newcomers to its clients, who are recent immigrants and refugees who now call Calgary home and need furniture and support.
Anila Lee Yuen, CEO, claims that the recent influx of immigrants has stretched donations increasingly thin.
“We have a really large number of people coming into the city in a situation like we’ve never seen before in terms of the numbers,” said Yuen.
“They were forced to leave everything behind and didn’t choose to be here, so it’s bittersweet to see the gratitude and willingness of others to donate, but there’s also a great sadness that makes you wonder, “How did I get into this situation where I actually need this?'”
One of Calgary’s biggest donation programs claims that it is in urgent need of assistance as its supply of free furniture items is rapidly running out.
To assist families and individuals with low or no income, the Calgary Drop-In Centre offers free furniture and other essential household items.
At their donation warehouse, which is located at 3640 11A Street N.E., there is a high demand for goods, with upwards of 15 appointments scheduled each day, seven days a week.
Supply is alarmingly low, according to program director Chris Kavanagh.
“We are now seeing wait times to use this program backing up as far as mid-December and so that is hundreds and hundreds of families that are waiting to furnish their homes,” said Kavanagh.
“We’ve noticed a sharp increase in refugees arriving from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and other nations that are currently experiencing political and economic instability, and we’re working to extend the warmest welcome to them in our lovely city.”
End tables, kitchen tables, coffee tables, dressers, shelves, chairs, couches, and the majority of large furniture pieces are currently required to complete a home.
New immigrants and refugees who now call Calgary home were referred to the program by Calgary’s Centre for Newcomers for assistance with furnishings and support.
The recent influx of newcomers, according to CEO Anila Lee Yuen, has stretched donations further and further.
“We have a really large number of people coming into the city in a situation like we’ve never seen before in terms of the numbers,” said Yuen.
“They were forced to leave everything behind and didn’t choose to be here, so it’s heartwarming to see people’s generosity and gratitude, but there’s also a deep sadness that makes you wonder, “How did I get to the point where I actually need this?”‘”
The Ukrainian refugee Olena Sadovnik, who now resides in Calgary, displays a picture of her husband, with whom she is awaiting reunification.
For Olena Sadovnik, who relocated to Calgary in July to flee the war-torn Ukraine, those feelings have been especially overwhelming.
“I recall having only a backpack and my three-year-old daughter in my hand when we locked the door to our apartment in Kyiv.”
As she starts a new job as a career practitioner with the Centre for Newcomers, Sadovnik was supported by Calgarians who were able to give her the essentials for her home.
“Since they welcome us more warmly than any other country in the world, I am sincerely grateful to Canada, Alberta, and the people here.”
Skylar Houde, a low-income resident of Calgary who currently works as a practicum student with the Calgary Drop-In Centre, shares that sense of support.
As a result of the free furniture, food, and basic household appliances she received, she developed a more positive outlook on life.
“I didn’t even know a program like this existed so it really helped me get through what I needed when I had no stuff,” said Houde.
“Since I didn’t have new furniture, I can now walk in and see everyone smiling, and I completely understand how they feel when they do. I can clearly see how much everyone gains from it.”
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