EMCN is ready to accept donations again in support of refugees and newcomers.
Donation Centre Address:
- 13508 Victoria Trail NW
Edmonton, AB
Donation Drop-Offs Accepted:
except stat holidays
- Mondays – between 9 am – 4 pm
- Tuesdays – between 9 am – 4 pm
- Wednesdays – between 9 am – 4 pm
Site Contact:
- Dalia – 780-902-2875
Items Accepted:
- Kitchen items – such as small working appliances, dishes, glasses, cutlery, pots, pans, cooking utensils, etc.
- Household items – such as bedding, blankets, sheets & towels
- Financial donations – allow us to purchase medicines, specific items to support a family with special needs, supplement other basic needs and respond to emergencies. You can make a financial donation here: https://emcn.ab.ca/get-involved/donate/
Items Not Accepted:
Our existing space is small so we have restrictions on what we can accept, therefore the following items cannot be accepted at this time:
- Clothing – no clothing will be accepted
- Furniture
- Decorations
Background – EMCN Refugee Donation Centre
- In response to the closure of the Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society (EERSS) in August 2021, EMCN started a donation centre at our 82 Street location that was only open only to refugees and newcomers, most of whom are directly referred from other support agencies.
- The EERSS closure left a huge service gap for the most vulnerable in our community. As refugees arrive in the city, they will have to dip into their very small resettlement allowance for these items, or in many instances, simply go without, unless they access a donation centre dedicated to this purpose. It is not only the material goods that are needed; it is also an essential touchpoint for refugees to access other essential supports.
- Arrivals from Ukraine are not provided a refugee allowance, as they are arriving under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program and are not designated as refugees. They will only have access to some limited settlement supports, therefore EMCN’s Refugee Donation Centre is one of the few community supports fully available to arrivals from Ukraine.
- While they shop at EMCN’s Refugee Donation Centre, refugees are served by trained EMCN Settlement Counselors who provide additional wraparound supports for the refugee family and helps make connections for the family to get their lives established in our community. This accelerates settlement and relationship building here in Edmonton so that individuals and families are able to become self-sufficient and independent as quickly as possible. Some of these supports include finding a place to live, learning English, accessing affordable childcare, mental health services, opportunities for youth, and so much more.
- Our long-term vision for the EMCN Refugee Donation Centre is to work with our C5 partners and other organizations to build a sustainable community resource available for any person or family in need of a ‘new start’ to find the life and household essentials they need, paired with one-to-one service that connects them to holistic, wraparound supports for housing, childcare, training, employment and community connections that sets them on the path for lasting security and success.
