BRING HOLIDAY JOY TO FAMILIES IN NEED

2024 HOLIDAY DRIVE

With the holiday season approaching, we are reaching out for your support to help us give back to the broader community this time of year, as there are so many people in need.

As we have done in the past, we are excited to partner with the Jane/Finch Community and Family Centre to support two low-income newcomer families in need this holiday season with gift packages. We are calling on you for support to help make this holiday season a little brighter for these families and individuals facing difficult circumstances.. Your generosity last year made a significant difference, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support!

Please see below for additional details on each of the families as well as the link to sign-up to support that family. Donations are requested by Tuesday December 10, 2024 and full drop-off details are provided in the respective links.

Family #1

This family of four is facing significant challenges. The mother lost her job after needing to take time off for a kidney transplant. The father works part-time at a bakery, just two days a week, but they are struggling to make ends meet. They have two children: a 3-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son. Their son has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. He is non-verbal, and the father provides physical support, helping to lift the wheelchair. They live in a one-bedroom apartment, paying $1,500 in rent plus utilities, which makes it difficult to afford food and other necessities. Despite the hardships the family is facing, they maintain a positive attitude, and it’s said that Mom always has a smile on her face.

Family #2

This family of six arrived in Canada as refugee claimants this past Spring. They have four children, aged 14, 12, 8, and 3. Since arriving, they have been renting a two-bedroom apartment in the Jane/Finch community, where they pay $2,800 per month plus electricity. However, the family is struggling to afford this rent and plans to move to a basement apartment once their lease expires, as they’ve been informed they cannot break the lease early without facing penalties. The father has obtained a work permit and is currently employed at a bakery where he works 40 to 44 hours a week to support his family. The mother is actively seeking part-time work to cover weekends while the father is home. This family is warm, hardworking, and incredibly grateful to be in Canada, doing their best to build a better life.

RESIDENTS OF MATTHEW HOUSE

For over 25 years, Matthew House Toronto has welcomed asylum seekers, offering a warm, supportive home as they navigate their new life in Canada. From a single house to six, they’ve grown into a caring community where refugees find safety, dignity, and the resources to rebuild their lives with hope and belonging.

If you are unable to drop off items on the wish lists, we are also accepting financial donations that will enable our Outreach Team to purchase any outstanding items on the wish lists. Kindly note that donations are not eligible for a tax receipt. If you would like to provide a financial donation, please click here.

Thank you in advance for your support and generosity! We know that it will make a huge difference for these families!