What donations do charities actually want? What do they not want?

When it comes to donations to charitable organizations, how do you know what and what not to give?

CTV reached out to a number of local charities to see what’s on their wishlists this holiday season.

Food and baby items

“We love receiving baby formula. We even love receiving diapers,” says Moisson Montreal’s Matias Duque. “Those are products that we seldom get given to us because they’re very expensive, so it helps a lot.”

The organization is the city’s largest food bank and distributes items to other, smaller banks.

“Products for older adults as well are hard to come by,” he adds.

Most fresh produce and products like milk, eggs and meat are received directly from producers.

For individual donations, canned or shelf-stable items are best, but there are exceptions.

“The most obvious thing would be food that’s gone bad or food that is past the best-before date. We also can’t accept food that comes in damaged packages or without labels,” he says.

Duque says Moisson Montreal doesn’t often get people who are just cleaning out their cupboards and dumping the unwanted materials in the donation bin.

He says if you’re going grocery shopping, the best idea is to get a second of whatever you buy because likely what you want to eat, someone who uses a food bank will also want.

And yes, that includes a treat every once in a while.

“It’s important for people who are skipping meals to have the best food,” he says, “but honestly, we all have junk food at home. It’s not because you need to use the services of a food bank that you shouldn’t be able to grab a bag of chips once in a while or a box of Fruit Loops.”

Often, he says, it might be the only time children whose families use their services might be able to get an item like that.

Boots, not furniture

At Saint Michael’s Mission on Stanley Street in downtown, the needs are specific.

The soup kitchen and homeless services centre gives out 50 to 60 clothing items every day.

At the top of the list are men’s winter boots size 9-13 (especially size 10), and new socks and underwear in all sizes. Used clothes can be accepted, provided they are in good condition.

“If you’re giving something because you can’t use it anymore because it’s worn out then probably you shouldn’t be giving it to an organization,” says executive director Andrew Marrocco.

It also cannot accept furniture, despite some prospective donors trying to convince them otherwise.

“We’ve experienced someone who’s changed apartments and they just have a room full of stuff they need to get rid of,” he says. “They try and convince us there’s something in those donations that we need, but then suddenly we’re stuck with all these things that we don’t actually want. Sometimes we get a pile of worn-out clothing, stained clothing, sometimes, really, in the state that baffles us why it’s not just going to a garbage disposal.”

Volunteers needed

For the first time, the charity created an Amazon wishlist so Montrealers can buy and send items directly to the Mission.

Chez Doris specializes in care for women who are homeless or in precarious situations.

It says one of its needs is volunteers.

When CTV visited this week, the Emerald Society of the Montreal Firefighting Department were helping to prepare lunch.

Chez Doris recently opened an overnight warming station with 30 spaces.

Executive Director Diane Pilote says a range of clothing can be accepted, but they are especially looking for gently used or new snow gear and underwear.

Cosmetics, including makeup, can also be given.

“They like beauty and to be chic at certain moments,” said Pilote.

Chez Doris does not accept baby products as it does not have services for mothers. It can accept a limited number of men’s shoes, especially running shoes, in smaller sizes that can be worn by women.

Across the board, charities say they always need financial donations. A more complete list of the responses CTV received is below.

Native Women’s Shelter:

• Gift cards (to grocery stores, Walmart, pharmacies, etc.)
• Diapers, baby monitors, car seats, carriages
• Feminine products (pads, tampons)
• Grooming products (tweezers, nail files, brushes, combs, disposable razors)
• Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bars of soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, make-up remover)
• Basic clothing (new socks, underwear, bras, comfortable clothes)
• Cleaning supplies
• Non-perishable food items (pasta, pasta sauce, kids snacks, canned veggies, coffee, tea, instant soups, cereal, peanut butter, jam, etc. )
• In-season clothes and items (new or gently used)
• Baby wipes and Baby formulas

The NWSM is not able to accept:

• Big furniture
• Stained/damaged clothes and items
• Used underwear
• Opened hygienic products

Chez Doris:

• New undergarments and base layers
• Hoodies and leggings
• Non-perishable food donations for our residences
• Holiday goodies (e.g., hot cocoa bombs, cookies, and treats) for our day center and residences
• Grocery cards for housed women in need
• Gift cards to Tim Hortons or McDonald’s
• Cash donations

Saint Michael’s Mission:

For the winter in particular:

• Boots in good condition
• Hats, mittens, and warm socks
• Winter coats in good condition

At all times:

• Underwear
• Lighter or regular socks
• Disposable toothbrush and paste kits
• Disposable razor kits
• Spray deodorant
• Food
• Canned protein
• Canned vegetables
• Peanut Butter
• Pasta
• Rice
• Flour
• Dried grains/legumes

Items the mission cannot use:

• Worn-out/stained clothing
• Expired food
• Broken/obsolete appliances
• Household items/furniture not suited to our community’s needs (curtains, upholstered chairs)
• Suits and other formal attire

Amazon wishlist

Logifem:

• New underwear (especially larger sizes)
• Winter clothes (women and kids), sweaters and jogging pants
• Winter coats, especially larger sizes up to XXXL
• Snow suits for kids’ size 10, both for boys & girls
• Winter accessories (hats, Mittens, gloves, scarves)
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Soaps
• Deodorant
• Moisturizer
• Toothpaste
• Raincoats (adults and kids)
• Baby Diapers (4 & 5), and for adults (large)
• Bath towels
• Bedding for single beds – fitted sheets, warm blankets, flat sheets
• Cutlery
• Non-perishable food donation
• Financial donation

Items the organization cannot use:

• Out-of-season accessories or clothing
• Nonessential items or special interest items (golf clubs, special equipment)
• Clothing that isn’t well adapted to the clientele (ballgowns, etc.)
• Clothing or other items that are stained or damaged

Moisson Montreal:

• Rice
• Pasta
• Pasta sauce
• Oil
• Cereal/oatmeal (muesli, fibre and bran flakes/oats)
• Flour
• Nuts
• Dried fruit
• Sugar
• Peanut or almond butter
• Coffee
• Legumes (lentils, beans, bagged or canned chickpeas)
• Milk (only Grand Pré milk, almond milk, or soy milk)
• Products for infants (baby food, powdered milk, diapers, hygiene products)
• Hygiene products (sanitary napkins, toilet paper, toothpaste)

Dans la Rue:

• Hoodies (men)
• Pants (regular and jogging) – men (sizes 30, 32 and 34)
• Waterproof windbreakers and rain ponchos
• New underwear (men and women)
• Regular white socks (men and women)
• Bras and bralettes (small, medium and large)
• Sturdy walking shoes – men (sizes 8 to 13, especially sizes 10-13)
• Winter boots (men and women)
• Work boots (with toe plate) (sizes 9 to 13)
• Belts
• Magic gloves
• Neck warmers
• Bars of soap
• Shower gel
• Deodorant (men, women and/or unisex)
• Toothbrushes & toothpaste
• Shampoo (men, women and/or unisex)
• Razors, shaving cream (men, women and/or unisex)
• Tampons
• Non-perishable food (no glass containers)
• Protein/granola bars
• Canned food and ready meals (Chunky soup, Cordon Bleu, Chef Boyardee, Kraft Dinner, meat, vegetables, fruits, sauces, soups, etc.)
• Instant soup, ramen style (with containers)
• Pasta

Items the organization does not need:

• High-heeled shoes or boots
• Furniture
• Sanitizing products
• Pillows and blankets
• Books
• Tuques

West Island Women’s Shelter

• Sheet sets for single beds and comforters (children)
• Double bed sheet sets and comforters (women)
• Pillows
• Anti-bed bug covers (double/single bed)
• Pillowcases (set of 2)
• Single bed covers
• Double bed covers
• Bath towels
• Washcloths
• Pyjamas (all sizes)
• Underwear (all sizes)
• Baby soap/shampoo (liquid)
• Baby Oil
• Moisturizing Baby Lotion
• Underwear (all sizes)
• Metal water thermos
• Agendas 2025-2026
• Effervescent balls
• Make-up remover wipes
• Cotton swabs
• Bath gels
• Tool kits
• Heated sheets
• Brushes
• Mops
• Mop buckets
• Dust pans
• Cleaning products
• Garbage bags
• Sink filters
• Pack Composting Bags (large or small)
• Pack Recycling Bags (large)
• Laundry baskets
• Garbage cans (large or medium)
• Dishwashing gloves
• Toilet bowl brushes
• Can openers
• Knives (set)
• Peelers
• Tableware sets
• Set of pots and pans
• Eating utensils (set)
• Kitchen utensils (set)
• Coffee machines
• Microwaves
• Blenders
• Kettles
• Toasters

Gift cards ($25 minimum: Walmart, Canadian Tire, Rona, HomeSense, etc.)