FAQ

Answers To Our Most Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do you take clothing, household items? Can I donate clothing?
  • Donating Clothing? Please read!
  • What do you NOT accept?
  • What do we ACCEPT?
  • Do you take household items? furniture?
  • Where can I donate my clothing / textiles?
  • How do I become a client?
  • What are the MOST NEEDED Items?
  • Do I need an appointment?
  • What is your Registered Charity Number?
  • I have used furniture, where can I donate it?
  • Do you give out clothing?

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 19, 2026:
UPDATED CLOTHING DONATION GUIDELINES.

★ WHAT'S NEW — PLEASE READ FIRST! ★

  • Mondays only: Clothing donations are accepted on Mondays ONLY.
  • Limit of 2 bags or boxes of clothing per donation.
  • Current season only: All donated clothing must be appropriate for the current season.
  • No estate cleanouts: We are unable to accept clothing from estate cleanouts.
  • No clothing drives: We cannot accept clothing collected through organized clothing drives. 

Please don't leave donations outside our door!


ACCEPTING NOW: — WINTER (AUG–FEB)

  • Winter jackets, parkas & snowsuits
  • Sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves & boots.

CLOTHING ITEMS WE CANNOT ACCEPT:

  • ✗ Used socks
  • ✗ Business suits — please donate these to Dress for Success or Safetynet Children & Youth Charities

ACCEPTED ANYTIME:

  • Pants, sweatpants, jeans, long-sleeve tops, shoes, sneakers, slippers, dresses, athletic wear, hoodies, pyjamas, handbags, belts, fashion scarves, and jewelry.
  • NEW socks only.

CLOTHING CONDITION STANDARDS:

  • Clean; free of rips, stains, odours, pilling, and pet hair; no broken zippers or missing buttons; current style.

Ask yourself: would you be happy giving this to a friend?
Thank you for respecting these guidelines and helping us manage clothing donations effectively.


Charities that provide Free Clothing to those in Need:

  • Open Doors Burlington at St. Christopher’s Anglican Church
    Address: 662 Guelph Line, Burlington
    Phone: 905-634-1809
    Hours: Monday – Thursday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm / Friday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
    Website: https://opendoorscommunity.ca/
     
  • Safetynet Children & Youth Charities
    Address: 166 South Service Road East, Oakville
    Phone: 905-845-7233 ext. 0
    Hours: Monday – Friday 9:30 am to 4:00 pm / Saturday 9:30 am to 1:00 pm
    Website: https://www.safetynetservices.ca/

In addition, your neighbourhood Churches may offer a limited amount of clothing to people in need. Please contact your church to confirm. 

Charities that run thrift stores, but all monies go to support their charitable endeavours:

  • Salvation Army Thrift Store
    Address: 3245 Fairview Street, Burlington
    Phone: 905-633-8762
    Hours: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, Monday – Saturday
    Website: https://thriftstore.ca/
  • Mission Thrift Store
    3305 Fairview St, Unit 3, Burlington
    Phone: 905-631-1199
    Hours: Monday – Friday 10 am to 8:00 pm / Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
    Website: https://missionthriftstore.com/
  • Goodwill Donation Centre
    Address: 4051 New Street, Burlington
    Phone: 905-333-8989
    Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 8:00 pm / Saturday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm / Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
    Website: https://www.goodwillindustries.ca/donate/

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 19, 2026:
UPDATED NEW CLOTHING DONATION GUIDELINES.

★ WHAT'S NEW — PLEASE READ FIRST! ★

  • Mondays only: Clothing donations are accepted on Mondays only.
  • Limit of 2 bags (or boxes) of clothing per donation.
  • Current season only: All donated clothing must be appropriate for the current season.
  • No estate cleanouts: We are unable to accept clothing from estate cleanouts.
  • No clothing drives: We cannot accept clothing collected through organized clothing drives.

Please don't leave donations outside our door!


ACCEPTING NOW: — WINTER (AUG–FEB)

  • Winter jackets, parkas & snowsuits
  • Sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves & boots.

CLOTHING ITEMS WE CANNOT ACCEPT:

  • ✗ Used socks
  • ✗ Business suits — please donate these to Dress for Success or Safetynet Children & Youth Charities

ACCEPTED ANYTIME:

  • Pants, sweatpants, jeans, long-sleeve tops, shoes, sneakers, slippers, dresses, athletic wear, hoodies, pyjamas, handbags, belts, fashion scarves, and jewelry.
  • NEW socks only.

CLOTHING CONDITION STANDARDS:

  • Clean; free of rips, stains, odours, pilling, and pet hair; no broken zippers or missing buttons; current style.

Ask yourself: would you be happy giving this to a friend?


⏰NEW DONATION DAYS & HOURS: ⏰
MONDAYS – 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
No donations on Wednesdays or Fridays

Need somewhere to donate right now? These local organizations would love your items:

🧥 Open Doors Burlington at St. Christopher's Anglican Church
🧥 Safetynet Children & Youth Charities 
♻️ Salvation Army Thrift Store
♻️ Mission Thrift Store 
♻️ Goodwill Donation Centre

Thank you for respecting these guidelines and helping us manage clothing donations effectively.

❌ Furniture
❌ Kitchen & small appliances
❌ Dishes, cutlery, pots & pans
❌ Lamps
❌ Mattresses
❌ Child car seats
❌ Toys, books, games & puzzles
❌ Drapery & window coverings
❌ DVDs, CDs or VHS tapes
❌ Bicycles & mobility devices
❌ Used electronics (computers, tablets, laptops)

We only accept and are in NEED of:

  • Food (see the list on the home page and under the Most Wanted button)

  • Diapers - sizes 5 & 6

  • All men’s and women’s hygiene products (e.g. body wash, shampoo, deodorant)

 

Please place the items in the red bins at the front of the "Donation Warehouse".

Donation days & hours:

Monday - 9:00 am - 3:30 pm 

Wednesday - 12:00 - 7:00 pm (NO Clothing / Textile Donations)

Friday - 9:00 am - 3:30 pm (NO Clothing / Textile Donations)

NEVER LEAVE YOUR DONATIONS OUTSIDE THESE DAYS & HOURS!

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 2026, we accept these all year:

  • Bedding:
    • sheet sets
    • duvets & covers
    • quilts
    • blankets
    • mattress covers
    • bedspreads
    • decorative pillows (NOT bed pillows)
    • sleeping bags
  • Linen:
    • towels
    • facecloths
    • table cloths
    • shower curtains

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 2026 NOT these items:

❌ Furniture
❌ Kitchen & small appliances
❌ Dishes, cutlery, pots & pans
❌ Lamps
❌ Mattresses
❌ Child car seats
❌ Toys, books, games & puzzles
❌ Drapery & window coverings
❌ DVDs, CDs or VHS tapes
❌ Bicycles & mobility devices
❌ Used electronics (computers, tablets, laptops)

Charities that provide Free Clothing to those in need:

  1. Open Doors Burlington at St. Christopher’s Anglican Church
    Address: 662 Guelph Line, Burlington
    Phone: 905-634-1809
    Hours: Monday – Thursday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm / Friday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
    Website: https://opendoorscommunity.ca/
     
  2. Safetynet Children & Youth Charities
    Address: 166 South Service Road East, Oakville
    Phone: 905-845-7233 ext. 0
    Hours: Monday – Friday 9:30 am to 4:00 pm / Saturday 9:30 am to 1:00 pm
    Website: https://www.safetynetservices.ca/

In addition, your neighbourhood Churches may offer a limited amount of clothing to people in need. Please contact your church to confirm.

 

Charities that run thrift stores, but all monies go to support their charitable endeavours:

  • Salvation Army Thrift Store
    Address: 3245 Fairview Street, Burlington
    Phone: 905-633-8762
    Hours: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, Monday – Saturday
    Website: https://thriftstore.ca/
     
  • Mission Thrift Store
    3305 Fairview St, Unit 3, Burlington
    Phone: 905-631-1199
    Hours: Monday – Friday 10 am to 8:00 pm / Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
    Website: https://missionthriftstore.com/
     
  • Goodwill Donation Centre
    Address: 4051 New Street, Burlington
    Phone: 905-333-8989
    Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 8:00 pm / Saturday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm / Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
    Website: https://www.goodwillindustries.ca/donate/

You need to be a resident of Halton to qualify. New clients of Compassion Society must fill out the registration form that they will be provided to take home with them upon their first visit and bring back with all relevant information needed as directed on the forms.

We are unable to do walk-in interviews because we are volunteer geared and will ask for additional information as needed.

No Appointments are given over the phone or email and first time clients can only be taken through walk-ins.

In the meantime, if you are in need of food, we can provide you with food and clothing for the first time until you fill out the forms and register for regular services.

When you fill out the forms, please be sure to bring the following:

  • Identification: Driver's License, Passport, Landing Papers, etc. are all acceptable.

  • Proof of Residence: Tenancy agreement or mail to your current address.

  • Proof of Dependents: Birth certificates or OHIP cards to show the date of birth for all dependants/household members.

  • Proof of Income: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment, OW statement, ODSP statement, pay slip or payroll statement.

Personal Care:

  • Body wash
  • Deodorant
  • Dish detergent
  • Laundry detergent
  • Shampoo
  • Toilet paper

 

Food items:

  • Canned meats (e.g., chicken, tuna, ham, fish, corned beef)
  • Canned vegetables: mixed vegetables
  • Breakfast essentials: cereal
  • Ready-to-eat meals: chunky soups or stews
  • Pantry staples: cooking oil (e.g., vegetable, olive), nut/seed butter, jam, sugar, salt, condiments
  • Beverages: instant coffee
  • Snacks: cookies, crackers, granola bars
  • Kid's specific snacks: juice boxes, nut-free granola bars, fruit snacks/cups, puddings or Jell-O cups, single-serve crackers & cookies

Please place the items in the red bins at the front of the "Donation Warehouse" located at 1881 Fairview St, Units 4 & 5, Burlington, ON L7S 2K4

Donation days & hours:

Monday - 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Wednesday - 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Friday - 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

NEVER LEAVE YOUR DONATIONS OUTSIDE THESE DAYS & HOURS!

We now have new walk-in hours for clients without appointments:

Mondays: 1:00 to 3:30 pm
Wednesdays: 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Fridays: 1:00 to 3:30 pm

 

Our BN # 804301810 RR0001

We DO NOT ACCEPT ANY FURNITURE!

Please donate at one of the places below:

(call first to see if they are taking donations)

Rescued and Restored

248 Freelton Rd., Freelton, ON L0R 1K0

Phone: 289-679-0481

Proceeds of sales support Drummond House, a transitional home for women and children in crisis.

Habitat for Humanity Restore

1800 Appleby Line, Burlington, ON L7L 6A1

Phone: 905-637-4446

A non-profit charity.

Furniture Bank of Mississauga & Halton

25 Connell Crt., Unit 1, Toronto, ON M8Z 1E8

Phone: 416-934-1229

Will pick it up for a fee. Call them for their rates.

Salvation Army Thrift Store

3245 Fairview St., Burlington, ON L7N 3L1

Phone: 905-633-8762

A non-profit charity.

Yes we give clothing to CLIENTS ONLY from 12 to 3:30 PM on Mondays and Fridays.

On Wednesdays between 4:00 to 7:00 PM.

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