Our Shelter Wish List

We Appreciate Every Donation –

Here’s How Your Generosity Supports Youth

At Shelterlink, we are incredibly grateful for every item our community donates. From clothing to kitchenware to books, your generosity helps us support youth ages 16–24 who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

We accept all donations with gratitude. However, there are times when we receive items we can’t use immediately—due to storage limitations, duplicates, or specific participant needs. Rather than letting these resources go to waste, we’ve created a smart, sustainable system that ensures every donation still makes an impact.

🔁 Turning Surplus Into Support with FUNDrive®

We’ve partnered with Value Village® through FUNDrive®, a free fundraising initiative that allows us to transform unneeded or surplus items into financial support for Shelterlink programs.

How it works:

• We collect gently used items from our community

• Items we cannot use directly are donated to Value Village®

• Shelterlink receives funds based on the weight of donated goods

• This partnership can generate over $3,000 annually—just by collecting 125 bags every two months!

This means your donations support youth directly and help generate ongoing funding for the programs they rely on.

📊 Transparency in Action – How We Track Donations

To ensure every item is used with intention, we follow a clear donation process:

1. We accept and log all donations

   • Staff record the donor’s name, contact info, and a clear description of the items (e.g., “2 bags of teen clothing” rather than just “clothing”)

2. Donations are sorted into two categories:

   • ✅ Shelterlink Use – Items provided directly to youth in need

   • 💰 FUNDrive® Donations – Items converted into revenue for programs

3. Valuations are tracked using CRA guidelines (e.g., a used bag of clothing = ~$27 CAD), and this information is logged into our donor management system

This process helps us maintain financial transparency, demonstrate impact to our Board, and validate our programs with actual figures—all while showing our donors and sponsors that Shelterlink is a worthy investment.

✅ Donation Categories & Packing Guidelines

To help us sort and process your donations efficiently, please follow the guidelines below:

🧺 Category 1: Soft Textiles

Includes:

• Clothing (all sizes and seasons)

• Linens (sheets, pillowcases, towels, blankets)

Packing Instructions:

• Use clear plastic bags (e.g., garbage or recycling bags)

• Tie bags securely for easy handling

Why it matters: Clear bags help us quickly identify contents and speed up sorting.

🏠 Category 2: Household Items & Small Electronics

Includes:

• Home décor (vases, picture frames, figurines)

• Kitchenware (pots, pans, dishes, utensils)

• Small plug-in appliances (toasters, blenders, coffee makers)

Packing Instructions:

• Place items in sturdy boxes

• Label boxes if possible (e.g., “kitchen,” “decor”)

• Avoid overpacking—boxes must be easy to lift

Why it matters: Keeps items protected and makes them easier to store and move.

📚 Category 3: Books & Media

Includes:

• Books and magazines

• CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes

• Video games

Packing Instructions:

• Use small to medium boxes

• Ensure boxes are light enough to lift easily

• Pack separately from household items

Why it matters: Media items are heavy—smaller boxes help prevent damage and protect our staff and volunteers.

🙌 Thank You for Your Ongoing Support

Your donation—big or small, needed now or later—always helps a young person take their next step toward independence. Whether it’s providing a warm coat today or funding mental health supports through FUNDrive® tomorrow, you are making a difference.

📞 Questions or Need Guidance?

We’re happy to help.
Please contact:
Valerie Trudgeon
📧 valeriet@shelterlink.org
📱 519-703-8021

Together, we’re creating safer futures, one generous donation at a time. 💛