Urgent Needs

The needs of our residential clients change with each admission. Please consider donating to our More Than A Bed Program online here, so that we may purchase urgent needs as they arise. Items that may be purchased include tablets, chargers, new books, school support equipment, clothing in special sizing, food for special dietary requirements, etc.

Current Urgently Needed Items:

  • Deodorant
  • Toothpaste
  • Size 3 Diapers (Huggies Brand)
  • Face Wash
  • Baby Wipes
  • Phone Chargers (Both Apple & Android)
  • New Pillows
  • School-Safe Snacks (ie. peanut-free items, pudding cups, fruit cups, granola bars, juice boxes, etc.)

We sincerely appreciate all your donations and support. Thank you for making a difference for families in your community impacted by violence and homelessness.

If you would like to host a donation drive and want to learn what items we are most in need of, please visit www.novavita.org/host or contact Jessica at jpowless@novavita.org to learn more.

Gift Certificates

The donation of gift cards provides both shelter staff as well as women living in shelter or receiving services from our transitional support and counselling programs the flexibility and dignity to make purchases most needed. Such purchases could include groceries for special dietary requirements, clothing for school or work, tableware or small appliances when moving into their new home.

Gift Cards for the following would be greatly appreciated: Major Grocery Stores, Giant Tiger, Walmart, Netflix, and local restaurants and businesses you love to support. To arrange donation, please contact:

Anne Ruddell, Community Development Manager
519-752-1005 x 228 | aruddell@novavita.org

Regularly Needed Items (New, Original Packaging & Unexpired)

As a 33 bed shelter, Nova Vita is regularly in need of several staple items. Please note, due to health and safety regulations, we can only accept items that are new, unused, and not yet expired.

Food & Non-Perishable Food Items – PLEASE NOTE: Nova Vita is a nut-free facility and is cannot accept items that may contain traces of peanuts/tree nuts.

  • Non-Perishable Items (Pasta, Sauce, Canned Soup, Canned Goods, etc.)
  • School-Safe Snacks (Juice Boxes, Peanut-Free Granola Bars, etc.)
  • Breakfast Items (Cereal, Juice, Coffee, etc.)

Toiletries & Hygiene Products – PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to accept hotel and portable sized items, as the average stay at Nova Vita is 55 days, and these items are expiring before being able to be used.

  • Diaper Wipes and Overnight Pull-Up Pants (size 4,5,6)
  • Shower Caddy’s
  • Hair Elastics & Scrunchies
  • Hair Brushes
  • Sunscreen

Linens 

  • Pillows
  • Bath Towels
  • Hand Towels
  • Wash Cloths
  • Twin/Full Comforters

Housewares 

  • Cutlery Sets
  • Dish Sets
  • Coffee Mugs
  • Acrylic/Non-Breakable Drinkware

Toys & Electronics 

  • Tablets or iPads with Protective Cases
  • Electronic Alarm Clocks
  • Journals & Notebooks
  • Netflix Gift Cards (Low denominations – $20, $30)

Donation appointments can be made by completing the form at the bottom of this page. Thank you for supporting Nova Vita.

If you would like to host a donation drive and want to learn what items we are most in need of, please visit www.novavita.org/host or contact Jessica at jpowless@novavita.org to learn more.

Like-New Donations

We assist clients in transitioning to violence-free lives. When a woman and her children enter the shelter, we provide the basic necessities (made possible through community donations) to provide peace of mind in one aspect of her life.

All donations are sorted at the shelter by an amazing group of volunteers. We have a donation clothing room designated for all the women and children living at the shelter. Our clients have access to as much clothing as they need.

Donations are also sorted to support Nova Vita’s social enterprise, Closet Couture Boutique. The boutique sells new, and like-new, brand-name clothing, with 100% of the proceeds going back to support the shelter. For more information, or to find your next great outfit, visit www.closet-couture.ca.

Whether an item is being sold at Closet Couture Boutique, or utilized for a resident at Nova Vita, clothing is always selected with care so that women are able to wear these items with dignity and purpose.

Want to Donate Clothing to Nova Vita? We Can Accept:

  • Items in new, or like-new, condition
  • Items that are in-season
  • All clothing sizes (including maternity) for women, children and teens
  • New underwear, bras, socks, and bathing suits
  • Fashion accessories like jewelry, purses, shoes, etc.

If you would still wear it or share it with a friend, we would love it! Thank you for donating your best for the women and children at Nova Vita.

Due to health and safety regulations and limited storage on-site, we are unable to accept donations of the following used items:

  • Toys and Baby Toys
  • Baby Equipment and Furniture
  • Furniture and Mattresses
  • Houseware Items and Small Appliances
  • Undergarments (Underwear, Bras, Socks) and Bathing Suits

Houseware items and furniture may be donated to Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Brant, who directly support clients of Nova Vita transitioning to a life free from violence.

We sincerely appreciate all donations. At times, we receive more donations than we can safely store and always share with our community partners who may also have clients in need. Our partners include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Saint Vincent de Paul Brant
  • Margot’s Place
  • Friendship House
  • The Cancer Clinic
  • Brant County SPCA
  • The Kindness Centre (Freedom House)
  • Youth Resource Centre
  • St Leonard’s Employment Services
  • Family and Children’s Services of Brant
  • Woodview Mental Health & Autism Services
  • Brantford Period Pop-Up

Donation appointments can be made by completing the form at the bottom of this page. For more information about donating to make a difference, please contact Amy at adynerowicz@novavita.org. Thank you for supporting Nova Vita.

Schedule Your Donation

We are now offering donations by appointment to help ensure that we receive items that are currently needed and on our Wish List. See lists of items that we can accept outlined above. You will be contacted within 2 business days to confirm your appointment time, provide instructions for drop-off, and for us to express our thanks for your support of Nova Vita! Please note, we can only accept up to a maximum of four bags/boxes per donor at this time.

Please email donation requests to Amy Dynerowicz, Donations & Volunteer Coordinator, at adynerowicz@novavita.org or call 519-752-1005 ext 216. In your email, please provide:

  • Type of donation (ex. food, clothing, etc)
  • What day you’d prefer to drop-off (Monday – Friday, 9:30AM – 3:00PM)
  • How many bags/boxes you have for donation (reminder we can’t anymore than 4 bags per donor)

Thank you for your support!