Where Your Donations Go: A Visit to Haven on the Queensway

For those of you who follow me on social media or read my blogs, you know I have talked about thoughtful donating and finding a new home for items we no longer need.

When I help clients decide what to keep, donate or discard, we put thought into those decisions. I put that same thought into finding a new home for the things they've chosen to donate.

Useful donations can meet someone else's needs while keeping items out of landfill. Different charitable organizations need different things, so I separate donations according to where they can be put to good use.

A recent visit to one of my go-to charities, Haven on the Queensway in Etobicoke, gave me a closer look at the difference those donations can make.

It started with reusable grocery bags

After working with clients recently, I ended up with two large shopping bags filled with reusable cloth grocery bags. We all seem to accumulate them!

The bags were clean and in great condition. Knowing that Haven operates a food bank, I knew they could be put to good use.

While dropping them off, I started chatting with the volunteers. When they learned I was a professional organizer, they suggested I might enjoy a tour. Ben, Haven's Director of Marketing and Community Engagement, came out to meet me and offered to show me around then and there. I jumped at the opportunity.

Donations that help people every day

Haven was clean, welcoming and beautifully organized. Ben told me it has 165 volunteers and 12 staff members. Throughout the tour, I met volunteers sorting clothing, preparing donations and helping people find what they needed. Their pride in the work came through in our conversations.

Clothing and household essentials at no cost

Walking through Haven's Closet, I couldn't help feeling as though I was shopping. Clothing was hung by category and size, and racks held shoes in good, usable condition.

The clothing and other donated essentials are provided to recipients at no cost. People can browse and choose what they need in a space arranged with care and respect.

There was also a kitchenware section with gently used mugs, dishes and cups for people who might be setting up a home. Other shelves held soap, toothbrushes, moisturizers, body care items and menstrual products — everyday necessities that are easy to take for granted.

Food and support for families and seniors

In the food bank, shelves held bins prepared for pickup. There were fresh fruits and vegetables, along with frozen meat and other frozen foods. Ben explained that the shelves can be bare on Monday, filled by Tuesday and empty again by Friday. That gave me a sense of how quickly food moves through Haven and into the community.

The First Care room was stocked with diapers, baby formula and other essentials for monthly care packages for families with infants.

In another area, volunteers prepared food and toiletries for delivery to seniors who can't physically get to Haven. Haven also offers scheduled social activities and interactive games where seniors can gather and connect.

I learned about its work with women's shelters and organizations including Daily Bread Food Bank, Second Harvest and Hand in Hand, helping extend support to people experiencing homelessness and others in need. Although Haven doesn't accept furniture, Ben explained that it works with Furniture Bank to help people furnish their homes.

What the volunteers want donors to know

I asked the volunteers what advice they would like to share with people donating items. Their message was simple: please donate items that are clean and in good condition.

Clothing should be free of stains, tears and strong odours. Think about whether you would feel comfortable giving the item to a friend, just as it is.

This is something I've spoken about before in my post about decluttering and donating with intention. Before putting something in a donation bag, pause and ask:

• Would I give this to a friend as-is?
• Is it clean and ready to use today?
• Is it free of stains, damage or strong odours?
• Does it still work the way it's meant to?
• Is this something people use or need right now?
• Am I donating this mainly because throwing it away feels uncomfortable?

It can be hard to throw something away, but donating an unusable item passes that task along to someone else. If it can't be cleaned or repaired, recycling or disposing of it responsibly is a thoughtful choice, too.

The volunteers also suggested packing children's clothing, adult clothing and household items in separate bags or boxes. A little sorting at home makes it easier for volunteers to prepare donations for the people who need them.

How you can help Haven

If you're changing over your seasonal clothing or sorting through household linens, consider whether you have useful items to pass along. At the time of my visit, the volunteers highlighted a need for:

• Winter clothing, shoes and boots, particularly for boys and men
• Bed linens and towels that are clean and in good condition
• Reusable grocery bags that are clean and ready to use

Haven's annual Holiday Toy Drive runs from November 2 to December 11, 2026, accepting new, unwrapped toys to help bring holiday joy to local children.

Needs change, so please check Haven's donation page for its current requests and accepted items. If you don't have items to donate, a financial contribution is another appreciated way to support its work.

Planning your donation drop-off

Haven is located at 76 Fordhouse Blvd in Etobicoke, next door to IKEA, making it an easy stop if you're in the area.

Donation drop-off hours are:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thursday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Drive to the side of the building, past the gate to the second door, and ring the doorbell for assistance. Check the website before heading over in case hours have changed.

Please don't leave donations outside when Haven is closed. Two volunteers mentioned this during my visit. Rain, snow and other weather conditions can damage useful items and make them unusable.

Finding a useful new home

I left with a great deal of respect for Haven's staff and volunteers, and a fuller understanding of what happens after a donation is dropped off.

And those grocery bags? Several volunteers thanked me for them during the tour. I even met volunteers unfolding the bags I had just dropped off. It was a lovely reminder that something taking up space in one home can meet a need somewhere else.

To learn more about its programs and ways to help, visit Haven on the Queensway.