Ways to help

Unfortunately, due to limited capacity, the City is typically unable to accept clothing, household items or food during or after an emergency. Instead, we recommend donating to community agencies that regularly accept such items (e.g. Salvation Army, food banks). Many community agencies also accept financial donations which can be used to purchase goods or services to assist affected residents. Please check with community agency before making a donation as some goods may not be accepted (e.g. homemade food).

The City recommends potential volunteers sign up ahead of time with an accredited volunteer agency that can provide the necessary screening as well as proper training and support to eligible individuals. Many of these organization may be called upon by the City for support in the emergency response and/or recovery efforts. Below is a list of some community and faith-based organizations where you may be able to register as a volunteer.

• Ontario Corps Volunteer
• Canadian Red Cross
• The Salvation Army
• St. John Ambulance
• Victim Services of Brant
• Brant County SPCA
• Brant Regional Association of Volunteer Administrators
• Team Rubicon
• Global Medic
• Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
• Samaritan’s Purse
• Mennonite Disaster Service
• World Renew
• Volunteer Canada

In most instances, the most immediate help following an emergency or disaster will come from family, friends and those around you including your neighbours. By simply meeting your neighbours you are one step closer to understanding options for your support network. Through working together, those in your support system will improve each other’s response and are more likely to have a faster recovery.

To build a support system:

• Meet and connect with neighbours or other possible groups you would likely socialize with.
• Identify each other’s:
  • skills (e.g. first aid, home repair),
  • resources (e.g. BBQ, generator, chainsaw), and
  • unique needs (e.g. children, pets, older adults, people with disabilities).
• Exchange contact information and consider sharing emergency plans or working on them together.
• Consider a buddy system to check on each other.
• Assign responsibilities such as checking on utilities and potential hazards, monitoring media for information, securing properties and removing debris.