Basics for Daily life

Impoverished families need help to provide the necessities of life to their children. A cold, hungry child can't thrive. And most families don't have food banks or charities to turn to.

Here is an updated list of items requested by our northern communities: 

• Muskrat Dam First Nation
• Wunnumin Lake First Nation
• Nibinamik First Nation
• Keewaywin First Nation
• Kingfisher Lake First Nation
• Poplar Hill First Nation
• North Caribou (Weagamow/Round Lake)
• Bearskin Lake First Nation
• Kasabonika Lake First Nation
• Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug
• Deer Lake First Nation
• Cat Lake First Nation

Here is an updated list of things people need. But before you collect goods, please read the new 2010 donations schedule.

Grocery List

• Canned stews, soup, meats (turkey, ham, Klik, tuna) and dry soups, canned vegetables (corn, cream corn, peas, beans, peas & carrots) 
• Kraft Dinner, pasta and sauces, pizza mixes and crackers, rice 
• Oatmeal cereal ,dry cereal, brown sugar 
• Flour, baking powder cake mixes, cookies, pudding and Jell-O 
• Ketchup, mustard, peanut butter, jams, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder 
• Tea, coffee, Kool-Aid 
• Fruit juice in tetra packs, raisins, nuts, dried seeds, popcorn 
• Baby food, disposable diapers, and wipes; vitamin C chewables for children 
• Paper towels, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products 
• Laundry detergent, 

 Household Items

• Comforters, blankets, sheets, and pillows and pillow cases; curtains 
• Washcloths and towels; dish towels and dish cloths 

Product Donations

The Prevention Program at Tikinagan Child and Family Services, which is responsible for the Basics for Daily Life program, identifies needed items based on community requirements and distributes the donated goods to the communities from its office in Sioux Lookout. You can see the photos on our Photo Galleries page.

2010 Donations Schedule

Please note that all donations designated for our First Nations communities need to be at the FTC warehouse in Guelph no later than Friday, October 15th, 3:00 pm.  Please contact Gary Richard via email at gary@ftccanada.org to book an appointment to drop off your donations.

Checking Before Collecting or Donating

If you or your organization would like to donate to Mamow Sha-way-gi-kay-win, please check with us first at (416) 987-9684. We appreciate everyone's concern, but because of needs and shipping costs, we can't accept all items.

Corporate Donations

If your company can donate basic essentials, personal care products, new clothes, educational supplies, sports equipment, musical instruments and similar commodities, please contact us at (416) 987-9684. Your company and the children and young people will benefit.

Ensuring Quality

• Please ensure that only quality goods are being collected. 
• All linen and clothes must be washed. 
• The Partnership reserves the right to decline donations. 

Shipping

Packing Safely

To ensure that goods can be easily shipped and arrive safely, please do the following:

• Pack the goods in sturdy boxes — smaller sized boxes are preferred and boxes should be filled to the top and packed firmly. (Loose items or goods packed in plastic bags cannot be accepted.) 
• Label the boxes with the contents and the donor's name and address. 
• Leave all boxes unsealed (unless shipping by bus). Donations sent to be inspected prior to shipment. 

Covering the Cost of Shipping

Because it costs so much to ship goods to the remote north (up to $39.00 for a 10lb box), donors are asked to assist with shipping costs whenever possible. For costs and freight weights, please contact the Prevention Program at Tikinagan Child and Family Services, 807-737-3466

Sending Goods North

You have two options for sending goods north.

1. Send directly to Sioux Lookout by bus (e.g., Greyhound). This will help us with shipping costs.
   Please ship the goods to:
   
   Prevention Program
   c/o Tikinagan Child and Family Services 
   63 King St, P.O. Box 627, 
   Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B1
2. Drop items off at a central collection point. 
   Please clearly mark your boxes North-South Partnership. 
   FTC Canada 
   525 Southgate Dr. Unit 2 
   Guelph, Ontario 
   N1G 3W6 
   1-877-382-2262 

Additional drop off locations may be available soon, please check back with us.