For Feb/2023 – Edmonton Quilt Guild Facebook and Newsletter
Submitted by Linda Tutt, EDQG member and St Albert, SSVP, North of 60 Project Chair
The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP), North of 60 Project annually ships sea containers of food and necessities to those in need, from the Edmonton and Calgary areas, to the Northern and Arctic communities of Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic, Fort McPherson, Tuktoyaktuk, Paulatuk, Aklavik, Sachs Harbour, Fort Good Hope, Yellowknife and Ulukhaktok. The North of 60 Project helps families meet their basic needs, in communities where the cost of living is extremely high. SSVP also accepts donations and distributes household items, furniture, and beds to those in need locally.
Sea containers for the North and Arctic are packed with food and necessities in the spring then trucked to Hay River where they are loaded onto sea barges. The barges leave Hay River in July and travel down the MacKenzie River to the Beaufort Sea (Arctic Ocean), dropping off containers at communities along the way. The barges are on a tight timeline to arrive at the furthest communities before winter. For the communities along the Beaufort Sea, the barge also delivers the year’s supply of grocery store non-perishable food, fuel, construction material, vehicles, etc. What is not sent on the barge gets flown in.
Non-food donations (new, gently used or like-new).
To arrange for a pickup or drop-off contact: Linda Tutt at L@tutt.ca
Deadline for non-food donations is April 30, 2023.
- Family needs: quilts (baby, twin, double, queen), bedding, pillows, towels, baby and children’s clothing (larger than newborn size), diapers, wipes, warm winter outerwear, warm boots, household items (pots, pans, dishes, casserole dishes, roasters, small appliances), feminine products
- Sewing community groups: sewing machines in good working order, fur and leather coats (or pieces), embroidery thread, full skeins of yarn (no partial), thread, notions, sewing machine needles, scissors, zippers (longer for coats), fabrics such as Stroud, Melton, commander, imitation fur, angel fur, Sherpa, outer wear fabric for Arctic parkas (no cottons, knits, silks). A special request for sewing while on the land: a hand powered, non-electric, table top sewing machine (not a treadle).
- Sports and Recreation: dodge ball, basketball, volleyball, soccer ball, skipping ropes
- Community: tools, plywood, triple pane windows (inquire for size), potting soil, gardening containers, (for community events: XL pots, XL bowls
When the SSVP seacan arrives in Ulukhaktok…
Fabric, notions and sewing items get distributed to Ulukhaktok locals.
Sewing machines are distributed by Adam, at the Ulukhaktok Food Bank.
Beautiful Kamiks are made with fabrics, furs and a sewing machine that was sent in the sea container.
Lisa, Ulukhakotk food bank coordinator, and hamlet staff receive and distribute food and necessities to those in need
Donations for food wholesale purchases.
Cheques: Payable to St Albert SSVP North of 60 Project.
Mail to: Linda Tutt, Chair, St Albert, SSVP, North of 60 Project 10 Orchid Place, St Albert, Alberta T8N 6P5
E-transfer to treasurerssvpstalbert@gmail.com
Use the passcode “northof60”
Provide your phone number, name, address and email address so a tax receipt can be issued
Donations For Greater Edmonton LOCAL needs (year long):
To donate and arrange for pickup -household necessities, furniture, beds (in good shape, no tears, no stains), for local needs, call SSVP Dispatch, 1-780-471-5577
Thank you to all who supported and donated quilts, items and funds in the past, both for those in need locally and in the Canadian North and Arctic communities. SSVP and the recipients are grateful. See video and annual reports at https://ssvp.ca/special-projects/north-of-60/
Peace,
Judi C, Chair, Community Outreach Committee