Heading into winter, Saskatoon and area United Way is looking to support the community and get others to support as well.

United Way encourages those who are able and willing to donate or volunteer when they can. Donations can go to United Way or be sent straight to a community organization.

Community organizations are looking for winter essentials and have requested baby formula, winter jackets, gloves, toques, thermal socks, hand warmers, warm base layers, new underwear, winter boots for all ages, toiletries such as lip chap, deodorant, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, as well as body wipes in soft packaging, and lotion.

Gary Beaudin, Director of Community Impact and Strategic Partnerships with United Way Saskatoon says one way the organization is looking to help the community was through their Lug and Lift drive in September.

“We worked with Brandt, and we hosted a barbecue. Basically, Brandt brought in a loader, and we received just over three and a half cubic yards of donated items.”

The three and a half cubic yards is equivalent to roughly 25 large boxes of donated items going back into the community.

Beaudin says the organizations requesting the items tend to see a wide range of people, including people ranging from kids all the way to elders.

Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan, EGADZ, Chokecherry Studios, Saskatchewan Intercultural Association, Saskatoon Interval House, YWCA, and Foundations Learning in Hatchet Lake were the community organizations that received items from the drive.