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Bin dwellers thwart donations to Women in Crisis

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A year ago, almost to the day, a Sault Ste. Maire shelter for women and children who have been victims of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, installed donation bins at the end of its driveway.

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After a year of “unsafe and terrifying” incidents, the bins were removed on Friday, Aug. 16., said communications co-ordinator, Erin Lodge.

Women in Crisis (Algoma), on 23 Oakland Ave., is no longer able to accept used clothing, toys or books at the shelter, a decision which warranted, “much consideration and heartbreak,” said a Women In Crisis press release.

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Lodge told The Sault Star they’ve had multiple people breaking the locks on bins, stealing, climbing inside of them, and fighting over donations.

“It wasn’t what was being donated, but the population that it attracts and the people who are trying to steal, are the problem,” said Lodge. 

The donation bins have become a health and safety issue for donors, women and children and shelter staff.

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One Kidney Clothes employee told The Sault Star that he was met with a person inside a bin when he arrived to collect donations last week. A female emerged and got inside the passenger seat of the Kidney Clothes vehicle.

It’s terrifying for people dropping stuff off when someone in the bin takes donations from the person’s hand, said Lodge.

The police were called to the location regarding bin issues on multiple occasions.

“We can’t manage the chaos that the bins are bringing to Women in Crisis,” said Lodge.

Four bin-related deaths in B.C., over the past five years, prompted a ban on donation bins on private property in Vancouver in January.

Also in January, a homeless woman was found dead in a clothing donation bin in Toronto.

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Before the bins were installed last August, Women In Crisis had a donation bin at its front door, which was “even more problematic,” said Lodge.

A new donation system in co-operation with the Kidney Clothes foundation is set to replace the flawed bin system.

Those who wish to donate to the shelter can drop off donations at 424 Pim St., or make arrangements for Kidney Clothes to make pick-ups.

Bags or boxes should be clearly marked, “for Women in Crisis.”

On a monthly basis, Kidney Clothes will weigh Women In Crisis labelled boxes and bags, and give the shelter a cash donation.

“People are still able to directly support us,” said Lodge, adding the new operation will also benefit Kidney Clothes.

Now, Women In Crisis can purchase items for women and children on a need-basis, said Lodge.

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She added the organization is at capacity, and does not have room to house all the donations it gets.

“Every square inch of the space is used for women and children in crisis,” said Lodge.

Women in Crisis (Algoma) would like to thank the community for its ongoing support. “The community is so abundantly generous,” said Lodge.

New clothing, household items and furniture, will still be directly accepted from Women In Crisis. The shelter can be contacted at 705-759-1230 for further direction, or inquiries.

Maggie is a fourth-year global development student at Queen’s University, interning at The Sault Star this summer.

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