Guest post by: Tina Martin
Today, on World Refugee Day, it’s important to note that number of refugees is increasing worldwide. From 2021 to 2022, the number of displaced people jumped from 27.1 to 35.3 million, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Like many countries, Canada sees its share of asylum applications. If you’re in Canada, you may be wondering what you can do. You don’t need a big bank account to help. There are many ways you can offer assistance without donating money.
Offer Housing
If you have a spare room in your home, you might host a refugee in need of a place to stay. Organizations like Refugees At Home connect those with extra space with refugees. There are similar initiatives and foundations throughout Canada.
Donate Food
If you don’t have extra space in your home, there are still other things you can donate – like food! Some charities accept ready-cooked meals or invite volunteers to prepare meals to give away. Others simply request donations of food that refugees can use to cook for themselves. There are certain types of foods that food banks need the most, including canned beans, pasta and sauce, canned vegetables, and baby formula.
Donate Clothing or Household Goods
Many refugees arrive in Canada with few possessions. You can help them get a fresh start by donating extra clothing or household goods. When donating clothing, make sure it’s in decent condition. The clothing should be free of any damage, clean, and without stains or spots. The same is true for household goods. When it comes to furniture, note that some items, like mattresses, should never be donated.
Donate Air Miles
If you’ve got air miles racked up that you aren’t using, consider giving them to a good cause. Refugee organizations may use air miles for flights, for example for family reunification purposes. Rules vary between organizations, so contact your airline first to make sure it’s possible to donate miles. Note that you may be able to write off this charitable contribution for tax purposes.
Keep a Record of Your Giving
If you give any items of monetary value to charity, keep a record. You can write off these contributions on your tax forms. For example, if you’re donating clothing or furniture, write down what you’re giving, note its value, and take a photograph. To keep track of your donations, digitize them into PDFs which you can access on your smartphone. This way, you can easily organize and compile all of your documents.
Be a Cultural Partner/Volunteer
If you don’t have any tangible items to give, it’s still possible to donate your time. For example, you can partner with area charities to help newcomers to Canada – especially children – acclimate to the culture and master the language. Simply meeting with someone to practice speaking English can be a wonderful way to help.
There are many refugees in Canada already, and the numbers may increase in the years to come. The entire community can benefit from the harmonious integration of these newcomers. The above guide has some tips for how you can help.
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This post was written by guest blogger Tina Martin, published by PATHFINDER in support of refugees globally.
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