U of S Syrian Refugee Welcoming Initiative

Attention: Collection Points Are Now Closed

After receiving word that the Saskatoon Open Door Society is at capacity with its current donations, we have closed collection points for Syrian refugees at this time.

Thank you to everyone for your generous donations!

The University of Saskatchewan’s Office of Sustainability – in association with the Saskatoon Open Door Society – is organizing collection points for the donation of items that will be distributed to newly arrived refugees in Saskatoon. With the city set to welcome 770 new Syrian refugees in the coming months, these donations will offer much needed assistance to our new community members.

Collection points are being offered in various departments around campus (see below for a full list of collection points). If you would like to volunteer your workplace to host a collection point, please reach out to Matt Wolsfeld, our Community Engagement Co-ordinator, at matt.wolsfeld@usask.ca .or (306)966-2200.

Where to Donate

Collection Points

Items can be donated at the following collection points around campus:

  • 323 Kirk Hall - SENSSA Offices
  • Parking Services Office
  • Arts Tunnel by International Students and Study Abroad Centre Entrance
  • College of Education, Dean's Office
  • 330 Thorvaldsen Building - Advancement and Community Engagement Office
  • Student Central - Administration Building, Main Floor
  • Health Science 5D40 - College of Medicine, Dean's Office
  • University Services Building - Facilities Management Lunch Room
  • Arts 512 - Communications Office, Arts Tower
  • Graduate Student Association Commons (1337 College Dr.)
  • Law 250 - College of Law
  • 481 Williams Building - Centre for Continuing & Distance Education

Specifics for these collection points will be available soon.

For donors in the LaRonge area willing to take part in the giving season, the LaRonge Medical Clinic - a northern partner of the U of S - is hosting a collection site as well.

What to Donate

The Saskatoon Open Door Society has put together a list of items that are suggested for donation. Please consider bringing any of the following to any of the colletion points around campus:

  • All winter outerwear
    • Coats
    • Mitts
    • Ski Pants
    • Boots
  • Clothing (especially for women and children)
    • Long pants
    • Sweaters
    • Skirts
  • Gently used baby and kids' items
    • Baby equipment
    • Books
    • Toys
    • Puzzles
    • Games
    • Strollers
    • Play pens
  • Kitchen wares
    • Plates, cups, and cutlery
    • Pots and pans
    • Mixing bowls
    • Cooking utensils
    • Small appliances
  • Household items (new and unopened)
    • Diapers
    • Bottles
    • Toilet paper
    • Dish soap
    • Cleaning supplies
    • Brooms
    • Tupperware
  • Toiletries (new, unopened and not hotel sized)
    • Socks and underwear
    • Toothbrushes and toothpaste
    • Shampoo
    • Deoderant
    • Razors
    • Pads and tampons

Donations are not limited to the items listed, though the suggested items are those currently most in need.

If you are unsure if something can be donated, please refer to Health Canada's Industry Guide to Second Hand Products.

Unaccepted Items

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

  • Furniture
  • Bedding
  • Linens
  • Large appliances (manageable sized TV's are OK)

Saskatoon Open Door Society

Contact

The co-ordination of accepting 770 Syrian refugees into Saskatoon is being handled by the Saskatoon Open Door Society. Due to the high-level demand of this initiative, they are quite busy for the time-being. However, if you would like to contact them directly, they can be reached at (306)653-4464 or info.syrian@sods.sk.ca.

Donation Drop-Offs

If you would like to take donations directly to an Open Door Society drop-off point, they will be accepted at specific locations, dates, and times. Please refer to their website (http://www.sods.sk.ca/) or Facebook page for more details