Caregivers & Kids Wish List

Written By Samantha Mudiappahpillai

Let’s show our neighbours some love this Advent season, sharing from the abundance God has given us.

Our Caregivers & Kids Gathering is a safe place for young families—especially moms—experiencing poverty to come rest, play, talk, reflect and grow in community together.

The Caregivers & Kids Gathering began in 2022 after a process of surveying needs in our community and gaps in service provision from nearby organizations. We also considered our church’s capacity and resources to safely offer support to those in need in our city. Creating a supportive space for caregivers with young children was the resulting goal.

The handful of caregivers that initially connected with our gathering knew our church from our previous youth dinner and food bank. We were grateful to honour these relationships and continue to walk with these families.

Now, after 2 years, our gathering meets twice a month and connects with about 20 young families. We’re so grateful for the faithful volunteers who help us graciously host—God has moved through you to show his love and create safe space for conversations about both the good and the challenging parts of life! We rejoice in the hopeful stories emerging of reconciling conflicts, successful connections to important resources like health care, and celebrating secured housing arrangements that help kids stay with their moms.

This season, we are glad to report that a generous donor has offered to provide Christmas gifts to the children connected to our gathering—God is good! In addition to the joy of toys, we want to make sure these young families have the everyday items that all families need to get by.

This Advent, we’re asking our church family to consider giving some much needed everyday items to support our neighbours. Let's continue in the ways of the early church in Acts and do our best to see that no one is left in need.

Caregivers & Kids Wish List

Families connected to our gathering have made a list of their most-needed items. As part of your offering through Advent, consider purchasing a few items to donate from the category of the week.

ADVENT 1 / DEC 1 — NUT-FREE SNACKS

  • fruit sauce pouches

  • granola bars

  • snack crackers, like goldfish

  • raisin boxes


ADVENT 2 / DEC 8 — DIAPER CARE

  • diapers - sz 2, 3 or 4

  • pull ups - sz 2T/3T, 3T/4T, or 4T/5T

  • wipes


ADVENT 3 / DEC 15 — KIDS CRAFT BASICS

  • stickers

  • paper - white or coloured

  • crayons or washable markers

  • glue sticks + safety scissors

  • play dough


ADVENT 4 / DEC 22 — BATH TIME

  • kids’ or adult shampoo/conditioner

  • soap

  • lotion - kid-friendly

Donations should be new and in original packaging.

Donations can be dropped off on Sundays at worship or during weekday office hours.

Also, you can order online for delivery to the church—send to:
Kim Morrison c/o Knox Presbyterian Church
630 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON, M5S 2H4
(please note the church office is closed on Saturdays)


Email any questions to sam@knoxtoronto.org.

Samantha Mudiappahpillai
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