St. Catharines
905-685-1349
Full shop service: Mon – Fri 9am to 3pm
Extras: 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Thorold
19 Albert Street West, Thorold
905-227-9240
Mon – Fri: 9am to Noon – 1pm to 3pm
Housing Help
129 Church St, St. Catharines
905-984-8955
Mon – Fri: 9am to noon – 1pm to 3pm
who we are and what we do
Community Care, St. Catharines & Thorold has been meeting the needs of the less advantaged in our community since 1919 – almost 105 years! The fundamental principles on which the agency was founded have not changed and our mission remains to compassionately provide vital services and assistance to individuals and families which help bridge their journey to self sufficiency.
Our integrated programs range from food and shelter security to emergency services and supports, leading clients to the independence they strive to achieve.
Although most programs are delivered within the communities of St. Catharines & Thorold, the Trustee and Niagara Nutrition Partners Programs are delivered on a regional basis.
Community Care is also one of the 10 food bank partners under Feed Niagara. This agency is part of both Provincially and Nationally recognized associations, through it’s affiliation with Feed Ontario and Food Banks Canada. This allows access to more food security programs, grants and ensures we have strict health and safety standards implemented and mandated by our associations.
Tummies filled in the month of August
New clients registered in the month of September
Clients served in 2020
Clients served January - September 2023
Ways to Give
DONATE
Your gift helps provide the basic necessities for those in need.
Order a Barrel
We deliver & pick up donation barrels to support local food drives. Thanks for your support!
Most needed items
Christmas
The holidays can be tough & everyone can use a little Christmas magic. Help us & join our team of merry elves.
Volunteer
We welcome volunteers with strong communication skills, patience and compassion.
What’s Happening!
The Great Holiday Food Drive Returns for 2023!
Our largest event of the year returns once again to fill the bus and our shelves in support of our community members in need.
In recent years, many in our community are facing challenges they never imagined possible. Job insecurity, the inability to provide basic needs for family, and having to make choices between paying rent or feeding children. This year we are spreading holiday joy across all of Niagara. Every donation is important, every dollar matters – With your help we can make sure every child experiences some holiday magic and no one goes hungry.
Join us at the St. Catharines Market Square on Friday, Demember 8 from 6am until 6pm to hear live updates on the Holiday Express’s travels through the city, grab some coffee/tea/hot cocoa and lunch with us and enjoy the afternoon! Other features at the market will include:
- Accoustic musicians playing a mix of festive classics and originals – Emma Whale 2 – 4pm and Amanda Lynn Parker 4 – 6pm
- Holiday mini session with local photographer, Jessica Bishop – offering 1 digital image by donation (minimum $10) 2 – 6pm
- Food trucks (plus coffee/hot cocoa and tea!) Breakfast, lunch and dinner options!
- Holiday gifting market! 2 – 6pm
- Kids activity zone! 2 – 6pm
- Special performances by Ballet Etc! 5pm
Our Holiday Express will travel across the city to participating stores to collect donations. This list will be posted here and shared on social media so that you can help us fill the bus and feel good!
Donor FAQS
How can I best help Community Care?
Donations of food and clothing make a great impact - our food security program is one of the most needed services we offer, and every individual donation helps us to provide this. Our Thorold location accepts food, clothing and household goods like small appliances as well!
Volunteering is another great way to support the work done at Community Care - without our volunteers, we could not provide all of the services that we do!
What are the most needed items?
Our most needed items change as needs and stock flucuate - be sure to check out our Instagram & Facebook pages for up-to-date items as we post these updates weekly on Wednesday.
On an on-going basis, are always in need of canned proteins, granola bars, hearty stews and soups with protein as well as diapers in sizes 4 and up. Examples include:
- Cereal (hot and cold!)
- Canned pasta (SpaghettiO's and Beefaroni)
- Peanut butter
- Canned tomatoes
- Canned fruit + veggies
- Rice
- Canned proteins (fish, turkey, ham, sardines etc.)
- Stews + soups (the best options include protein!)
Clothing
- Shoes - all sizes
- Linens - all size bedding and towels
- All size new undergarments
Other
- Feminie hygiene products
- Diapers size 4 and up
- Baby wipes
- Personal hygiene products (soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes)
Does Community Care accept clothing & household donations?
Community Care is pleased to accept gently used seasonal appropriate items for our clothing room, up to 2 bags per donor. Items we accept include:
- Mens/Ladies/Childrens attire including hoodies/pants/shoes/boots/blouses/new undergarments
- Bedding/Towels
- Household items – accepted only at our Thorold location (19 Albert St W )
We accept donations Monday through Friday between 8:30 – 4:30.
How can I become a volunteer?
Volunteers have long been an important part of the Community Care team - we simply could not do all that we do without them!
If you are interested in volunteering kindly complete and submit the volunteer application.
Can I donate a car to raise funds?
You can! You will need to donate your vehicle through Donate A Car Canada and it will either be recycled or sold at auction (depending on its condition, age and location). The proceeds from this donation will be allocated to us! You will receive a tax receipt and we will put your gift to good use.
CAN I DONATE STOCKS TO RAISE FUNDS?
Yes, you can! Please fill out this form and email it to Idella at donations@communitycarestca.ca.
Support FAQS
How can Community Care help me?
Community Care is proud to provide 20 integrated programs and services which include, but are not limited to, food security, housing supports and emergency services and support.
Our food programs support clients with emergency food, which is available on a daily basis, regular food bank support, new baby bundles and senior support. For the first visit, new clients must register and bring proof of income, address (if housed), and any proof of your identity (for example a piece of mail, an OW stub, or health card can work).
Our Housing Help Centre provides support to vulnerable people at risk of losing their housing. You do not need ID to visit the Housing Help Centre and access Prevention programs. We can also asisst with obtaining identification records through our regional ID Clinic program - this program applies to any resident of the Niagara region, and is serviced out of our St. Catharines location.
If you are in need, please call us today to find out more about how we can help to meet your specific needs.
Do I have to live in St. Catharines?
Most of our programs are served too residents of our locations, however our ID Clinic is a regionally offered program.
Our food bank services are available for clients in these cities - our Thorold clients can access our Thorold food bank and our St. Catharines clients can access our Thorold food bank. Any of our clients can access our Thorold Thirft Store for clothing needs, however our St. Catharines location does also offer a clothing room.
Contacts for those outside of St. Catharines and Thorold:
- If you are in other parts of Niagara please visit FeedNiagara.ca to find your local food bank provider.
- If you are in a housing crisis outside of St Catharines - Thorold, please dial 211 to learn about resources in your local community.
- If you are facing an eviction by a landlord and need legal support, contact the Niagara Legal Clinc.
I need to access the emergency food program but lost my ID. Can I still get help?
Absolutely! In lieu of ID, a piece of mail with name and address will allow us to register you. If you don't have permanent housing and need ID, we can help you through our ID Clinic program - please complete the aplpication for this program here.
Do you provide emergency supplies?
We provide emergency grab-and-go food bags, available Monday - Friday from 9am until 3:30pm.
For other emergency needs and support, please contact us at (905) 685 - 1349 ext. 234 to be connected with someone who can help.
How do I register for Christmas Help?
To register for Holiday Help, please call 905-685-1349 for assistance. Registration starts in early November.
Community Partners
A big T H A N K Y O U to all for being part of our Community of Care!
