For many companies that handle group travel, it’s no surprise that the COVID-19 pandemic are challenging times. However, it’s not only the travel industry that is currently struggling — the brunt of the global health crisis has been particularly hard on vulnerable communities and individuals.
With this in mind, the Bus.com team has taken these unique times as an opportunity to connect with and give back to our local Montreal and Toronto communities through the “Bus Angels” program. The Bus Angels consist of Bus.com employees who are working with a variety of Non-Profit Organizations, shelters, senior’s residences, food banks, and service providers across the Greater Montreal (or Toronto) area, offering expertise and time to help coordinate and support efforts.
But we need your help. The donation of goods and food, as well as financial contributions to cover goods and food, transportation costs, and other expenses are desperately needed to alleviate the growing strain on these organizations so that our vulnerable populations can immediately receive vital services while other available programs and government funding may be delayed or stretched thin.
Here’s how to get involved/donate:
If you are in the position to contribute financially or can donate in other ways, please reach out to angels@bus.com. We can help organize and implement financial or material donations. Your contribution will reach the source directly to have an immediate impact on the various causes outlined below, in alphabetical order.
Please note that Bus.com is not collecting donations on behalf of the following organizations, but instead has compiled a list of organizations that are looking for help.
Caldwell Residences
Caldwell Residences are subsidized apartment buildings for independent seniors with low to middle incomes, housing over 800 seniors total. As Caldwell Residences is an autonomous living residence, services such as daily meals are not provided.
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing regulations have made it increasingly difficult for seniors — particularly those on a fixed income — to remain food-secure. The residents are accustomed to going to their local supermarket or being able to make orders by phone. However, increasing barriers including long wait-times, online-only ordering, credit card requirements, costly minimum purchases to qualify for delivery, as well as language barriers, are making it difficult for these vulnerable seniors to access food safely.
Funds will be allocated to subsidize grocery costs for the most vulnerable residents, to provide additional means of transportation for grocery and food bank deliveries to Caldwell Residents, and to cover our bus partners’ costs and gas in order to provide this service to them free of charge.
Caldwell Residences is also looking for volunteers who can safely receive grocery baskets and deliver them to residence doors. If this is you, please visit http://caldwellresidences.com/, or reach out directly to julie@caldwellresidences.com
Chez Doris Women’s Shelter
Chez Doris is a women’s day shelter open 7 days a week that provides a safe haven, food, counseling, and much-needed services for women who cope with poverty, homelessness, mental illness, and addictions. The COVID-19 Crisis has forced Chez Doris to reduce the number of women they can see in a day — though the demand for materials and food have increased. Financial support of Chez Doris is essential to keep their services running and meet the increasing demand.
If you can make a financial or material condition to Chez Doris, please visit https://www.chezdoris.org/en/.
Chez Doris is also seeking material donations of the following items:
- Rain jackets and boots
- Toothbrushes
- Small tubes of toothpaste
- Backpacks
- Leggings/sweatpants/pants
- Hoodies and sweaters
- Jackets
- Blankets (clean, no bedding needed)
- Underwear and socks (must be new)
- Female hygiene products and soap
Note: It is especially useful if you have these items in large quantities, as the sorting of items has become difficult for most shelters on account of staff shortages.
Moisson Montreal
Moisson Montreal is a charity that collects donations of food and essential products throughout the year and distributes them free of charge to community organizations on the Island of Montreal. They rely heavily on private financial donations to operate. The COVID-19 crisis has seen a drastic increase in demand for services.
We are helping Moisson Montreal gather funding and coordinate transportation for Non-profits in need. If you can help, please visit https://www.moissonmontreal.org/.
Resilience Montreal/Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal – Cabot Square Project
Resilience Montreal is a non-profit day shelter and wellness centre situated on the corner of Atwater and Sainte Catherine. They offer food, a place to sleep, clean clothes, and support to anyone in need. During the COVID-19 crisis, many of Resilience Montreal’s services have been moved outdoors to Cabot Square in order to safely continue populations while respecting social distancing rules. Learn more about the project here. To donate financially, please visit
We are helping coordinate material and financial donations for Resilience Montreal — please contact visit https://resiliencemontreal.com/home/ or http://www.nwsm.info/donate if you are able to help.
Dans la Rue
Dans La Rue cares for the immediate needs of homeless and at-risk youth in Montreal. Working with partners in numerous focus areas, Dans la Rue concentrates on meeting basic needs (food, shelter, clothing), mental and physical health, addressing legal and administrative issues, education and career-building, and parental skills.
If you’re interested in helping Dans la Rue, please visit https://danslarue.org/en/.
Skylark
Skylark is a leading Toronto-based charity dedicated to children, young people, and their families struggling with complex mental health and developmental needs. They believe that all young people, regardless of their developmental, social, and/or psychological needs, are resilient and possess their own unique strengths. After more than 90 years of experience, they know that their comprehensive range of high-quality mental health promotion, intervention, and treatment services help young people gain the confidence they need to become productive, contributing members in their communities.
If you’re interested in helping Skylark, please visit https://www.skylarkyouth.org/.
The Bus Angels thank you for your attention and contribution. We would not able to do it without you.
