June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, and to honour it this year, the Office of Indigenous Engagement is spearheading a new initiative, led by project manager Lisa Ledoux, which will focus on community, by accepting donations on behalf of Agape Table from now until June 30.
“As the Office of Indigenous Engagement, we strive to collaborate with all segments of Indigenous community,” said Dr. Chantal Fiola, Associate Vice-President, Indigenous.
The University of Winnipeg has been situated in the downtown core since its inception in 1967, with roots going back nearly 100 years before that, and is deeply embedded in this urban community.
“We recognize that there are deep, complex, and painful systemic processes and generational harms that continue to contribute to distressing circumstances impacting some of our most vulnerable Indigenous relatives today,” said Dr. Fiola. “In the spirit of National Indigenous People’s Day, we invite the greater UWinnipeg community to help us recognize and support the populations around us.”
What’s needed and where to donate
Different types of donations will be collected, including:
- Gift cards
- Cash: send to treasurer@agapetable.ca and state it’s for the “UW NIPD initiative.” For any donations over $20, Agape Table will provide a tax receipt.
- Gently used or new backpacks (an extremely useful and sought-after item), water bottles, wallets, clothing items, belts, jackets, toques, mitts, shoes
- New socks, underwear, and hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, feminine products, bandages, handkerchiefs, lotion, razors, and deodorant
Donations will be accepted from now until June 30. Drop-off boxes are located in room 1E16 in the Helen Betty Osbourne (Education) building, and 3W09 in Wesley Hall, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
About Agape Table
Agape Table is an independent charitable non-profit in downtown Winnipeg that supports local unhoused populations. Their tangible efforts can be seen every day at 364 Furby Street at 7 a.m., where they serve anyone who is hungry, without questions or judgement.
