Calgary Small Business Towel Drive

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When was the last time you got out of the shower and didn't have a towel to drive off?
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It's a horrible feeling. You're wet, you're cold, you're naked (obviously). You just want to be wrapped up in a warm fluffy towel and hug in the last few moments from the warm water. But instead, you are left shivering, struggling to cover up and put your clothes on over your dripping body. 
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That's what it's like for the many of the at-risk population in Calgary that utilize the various shelters and agencies each and every night that don't have a home. They get to use the facilities' showers after days or sometimes weeks without one, but due to high demand, there are usually not enough towels to go around and people are left to dry off with anything they can find, hand towels, paper towels, dirty shirts, even from time to time putting a sock on their hand and using that. 
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There's a sense of dignity that comes with giving a towel to someone in need. It means that they can have their shower and have a small sense of normalcy. It can make all the difference in the world to people to have a hot shower and proper towel waiting for them when they get out. 
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After seeing this article from The Mustard Seed on the need for towel donations, we realized the need for all shelters and homeless agencies have for towels for their clients. Which is why we wanted to bring attention to the need for towels and utilize our network to try and get as many towels into these shelters as we can. Our goal is to absolutely stuff them with towels that they never have to ask for them again. 
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So here is how you can help:
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1) Drop off gently used or new towels to the nearest homeless agency or shelter. See details below for a complete list and donation instructions.
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2) Donate directly to these organizations with a comment to utilize the money to purchase towels.  We have partnered with CMNGD (COMMONGOOD), an amazing local small business who employs people that utilize these agencies, they have secured an amazing price for a standard bath towel from his supplier for only $2.50 each. So we are asking you to donate as much or as little as you can. 
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We want to showcase that when people, small businesses, Calgarians come together and give a little, together we can create a big impact. Here is a complete list of all the shelters that are in dire need of towels, how to drop towels off or donate directly to them:
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The Mustard Seed
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Donate Online Here (In the comment section please write ‘Local Laundry Towel Drive’): https://theseed.ca/donate/?source=web-top-nav&campaign=urgentNeed

Drop off items here:

102 11 Ave SE
Calgary, AB
Seven days a week – 9am-7pm.

Inn From The Cold
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Drop off items here:

106, 110 11 Avenue SE
Calgary AB T2G 0X5
*They only accept new items since they do not have the proper facilities to properly wash used items.*

The Drop-In Centre

Donate online here (in the comment section please note: Towel Drive – Local Laundry): https://www.calgarydropin.ca/general-donations/

Drop off items here:

1 Dermot Baldwin Way SE
Calgary, Alberta T2G 0P8
They can accept towel donations at their main centre at the loading dock (24hrs a day)

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Donation Centre
3640 11a St NE
Hours: 8am-4pm, 7 days/week, closed statutory holidays
Contact: 403.264.0856 or markp@thedi.ca

Calgary Emergency Women’s Shelter

Donate online here: https://www.calgarywomensshelter.com/index.php/give/individual

Drop off items here:
#500 – 1509 Centre Street SW
*Any physical donations must be new and unused*

Alpha House

Donate online here (in the drop-down menu under ‘Apply your donation to a specific fund’ select ‘Towel Donation’): https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/calgary-alpha-house-society/#donate-now-pane

Drop off items here:

203-15th Ave SE.
This is where the shelter is located so it’s usually best to call when you arrive: 403-234-7388 and a staff person can assist you inside if preferred.

Fresh Start

Donate online here: https://cause2give.unxvision.com/EDMWeb/DonationForm.aspx?FormID=322&LanguageID=1

Drop off items here:

411 41 Ave NE
Calgary, AB
T2E 2N4

For a full list of all Housing and program resources take a look at this Calgary Homeless Foundation List.