If you would like to support one or more of the charities in Kingston, Ontario, below we’ve featured 14 and have provided overviews of their activities.
1. United Way
Invest in your community anywhere in Kingston, Lennox, and Addington with this charity organisation. The United Way uses your donation to build and strengthen the communities by investing in places where it will make the greatest impact.
This charity is known for integrity, accountability, and transparency and is operated by professionals who stick to the highest ethical standards. The organisation is also ranked among the top 100-rated charities for 2019 and welcomes you to review its annual financial statements on its website.
The United Way focuses its donations on youth, learning, physical and mental wellbeing, safety from violence, neglect, and abuse, poverty, housing stability, food security, and financial security among others. The charity has also diversified to respond to Covid-19 emergencies through product donations received from Kleenex, Cottonelle, and other sponsors.
You can also help through the volunteer centre or security gifts. Get in touch with The United Way to make further inquiries or to make a donation.
2. Lunch By George
Lunch By George is run by Outreach St. George’s Kingston which was established in 1997. The lunch program started in downtown Kingston in 1985 at St. George’s Hall. It has served over 10,000 meals every year for over two decades. The program is funded by personal donations from individuals, businesses, and well-wishers in Kingston.
This charity feeds 40-70 people a day and over 100 people on Christmas. Lunch by George offers coffee, snacks, soup, and hot meals at lunch five days a week. The charity’s main patrons are people living with mental and physical disabilities and the elderly. The charity also welcomes patrons who are unable to get employment and people of welfare or pensioners who cannot make their own food at home due to financial challenges.
The registered non-profit accepts tax-deductible online donations and cheques as well as product donations such as tinned food and clothing. Reach out to Lunch by George to find out more about their services and find out how you can help.
3. Easter Seals
Easter Seals is a charity dedicated to helping kids with physical disabilities achieve success through accessibility, integration, and independence. For nearly a century, this organisation has offered various programs that have helped families in Kingston access essential mobility and accessibility equipment.
The charitable organisation was founded in 1922 by representatives from the Hamilton, Windsor, Chatham, Kitchener, Toronto, Stratford, and London Rotary Clubs. The team recognised a need to address the inadequate support and resources for physically disabled children.
Easter Seals offers a variety of services including equipment funding, summer camp, scholarships, and awareness and public education among others. The charity also offers parent resource information, has representatives on the Special Education Advisory Committee and administers the Incontinence Supplies Grant Program.
The registered charity welcomes and encourages social donations where you can spend time and socialise with the children. Get in touch with Easter Seals to find out more about their services as you make your donation.
4. Almost Home
This charity in Kingston offers its services to families with ill or injured children. The organisation offers these families a safe, homely environment while their children receive medical treatment in Kingston hospitals.
Almost home provides a comfortable environment where parents and siblings can provide love and the emotional support needed as the children receive treatment. The wheelchair-accessible facility can accommodate up to 11 families at a time.
Get in touch with the friendly team at Almost home to make further inquiries about this charity and learn how you can make your donation. The charity also welcomes caregivers who would like to volunteer their time.
5. Youth Diversion
If you are passionate about the youth, this organisation can help you make a lasting impact on the lives of young people in Kingston. Youth Diversion offers programs which divert youth from risk, provide prevention and intervention services, and support them to make positive choices.
This Canadian-registered charity offers a variety of youth programs including accountability programs which give young people the opportunity to make amends, prevent crime rebound, alternatives to home suspension programs, mentorship, conflict resolution, and youth outreach among others.
Youth Diversion is sponsored by a variety of organisations including the Kingston Rotary Club grant, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Kinsmen Club of Kingston, Bell Let’s Talk, Alliance Security, RBC Foundation, Youth in Philanthropy, and Queen’s Focus among others.
The charity welcomes donations and volunteers for its mentorship programs. Get in touch with the friendly team at this organisation to find out more about their services.
6. Partners in Mission Foodbank
This charity organisation is a member of the Feed Ontario and Food Banks Canada organisations. Partners in Mission Foodbank offers groceries and food distribution services as well as surplus provisions to shelters and hot meal programs in Kingston.
The food bank was started in 1984 by the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph and slowly expanded as the need grew to accommodate collaboration with agencies and other churches. The charity was registered in 1998 and is currently housed on a 7,200 square foot space on Hickson Avenue which was paid in full through a bequest from Mrs Mae Bowles Gibson.
You can get involved in the Foodbank’s activities by donating to the food bank, donating needed items, participating in fundraising events, organising a food drive, and donating securities. The charity welcomes you to volunteer at the charity.
You can also donate a grocery hamper which includes eggs, fruits, fresh milk, vegetables, and occasionally meat products from donors and local businesses. Get in touch with the team at Partners in Mission Foodbank to find out how you can make a monetary or food donation.
7. Loving Spoonful
This charity in Kingston provides healthy food to people in need in Kingston and surrounding areas. Loving Spoonful has provided over $1.8 million worth of fresh food to over 50 community agencies and food stands.
This organisation is focused on making the community healthier and more connected through poverty, food security, community health, and social inclusion programs. This charity continues to uphold its commitment to creating a sustainable, food-secure community.
Some of the charity programs available at Loving Spoonful include fresh food delivery for those in need, the GROW project, GROW at home resources, community kitchens, fresh food market stands, and Foodrescue.ca among others.
Loving Spoonful also offers programs such as gleaning where they harvest surplus crops for shelters and meal programs, Circles to teach food skills, and The Meat Up to provide quality meat products at affordable and discounted rates.
This registered charity welcomes you to volunteer, grow food, host charity events, or make a donation. Get in touch with the friendly group at Loving Spoonful to find out more about other ways to give.
8. Community Foundation for Kingston and Area
Since 1995, the Community Foundation for Kingston and Area has connected generous donors to charities that address local needs and ideas. The foundation promotes philanthropy and inspires local organisations to explore and address community needs.
Ths charity welcomes donations from families, businesses, and corporations in the form of securities, gifts of life insurance, bequests, as well as property. As a donor, you can set up your own fund or donate to existing funds.
The Community Foundation offers a variety of initiatives including community reports, speaker, series, community grants, small business loans, smart and caring community, and community builder awards among others.
This organisation funds various registered charities through their granting programs and following donor directives. Get in touch with the friendly team at CFKs to find out more about their services and find out how you can make a donation.
9. Extend-A-Family Kingston
This not-for-profit organisation offers support to people with developmental disabilities. Extend-A-Family runs several programs that enhance health and improve social and educational lifestyles.
The amazing team at EAF is invested in the success of all those who participate in their programs. This registered organisation provides coordinated access to opportunities for personal growth, inclusive programs, and development opportunities in the region.
The charity also offers other services such as support for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and physical disabilities as well as adults with developmental disabilities. Through this organisation, you can also support programs such as respite, seasonal camps, family support, recreational programs, and Adult Day Programs which promote healthy lifestyles and enhance social opportunities for participants.
Reach out to the friendly team at Extend-A-Family Kingston to find out more about their services and make a donation.
10. Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters promotes happier, healthier communities through impactful mentorship. The charity offers its services to the Kingston, Lennox, Frontenac, and Addington communities. This charitable organisation believes that with simple acts, you can empower a new generation with limitless potential.
The organisation offers a variety of charity programs including one-to-one mentorship, group mentorship, and in-school mentorship. Through these mentorship programs, young people can gain confidence and the esteem needed to live happier lives and the potential to command higher incomes.
You can volunteer as a mentor and act as a champion to at-risk youth in Kingston by offering consistency in their lives and acting as a confidant. Mentors can also connect the youth to broader opportunities, networks, and opportunities.
Get in touch with Big Brother Big Sister to volunteer as a mentor or make a donation and inquire about other ways to give back to the community.
11. Camp Outlook
This charity established in 1970 offers its services to youth between 13 to 17 years old. Camp Outlook gives young people who are recommended by social agencies the opportunity to participate in canoe expeditions at no cost.
Camp Outlook was started by Ron Kimberley, a camping enthusiast who believed in the therapeutic value of the wilderness. For over 50 years, volunteers who share his vision have helped support this charity by offering free camping trips to young people in Kingston and neighbouring areas.
Through well-wishers’ donations, this volunteer-run organisation offers 5, 9, and 14-day canoe summer camp trips in Frontenac Provincial Park and Algonquin Provincial Park. The camp has also developed fall and winter programs, weekend trips, and in-city activities. Each session hosts 140 campers.
You can help improve the lives of youth going through behavioural, social, and economic challenges by offering your time as a volunteer or making a donation.
12. Breast Cancer Action Kingston
This charity organisation raises awareness for Breast Cancer and BCAK. Breast Cancer Action promotes self-examination and offers support for patients and survivors. The charity offers various programs and fundraising events to support and empower people affected by breast cancer with the help of sponsors, donors, and other well-wishers.
Some of the programs at Breast Cancer Action Kingston include exercise classes, yoga classes, Qi Gong classes, In Memoriam programs, Breast Cancer Ribbon Campaign, Chestmates Dragon Boat Team, and Hands on Self Examination programs.
Breast Cancer Action Kingston also offers various services including financial assistance, PINK program, support groups, newsletters, Puffy Pillow Programs for post-operative support, and Lymphedema programs.
BCAK is committed to providing support, educating the public, research, and advocating for prevention, treatment, and early diagnosis. Reach out to Breast Cancer Action Kingston to find out how you can make a difference and to make a donation.
13. Seniors Kingston
This not-for-profit charity organisation offers leisure and recreational activities for older adults. The charity started in 1997 is an amalgamation of the Kingston Seniors Day Centre and the Kingston Area Senior Citizens Council.
Seniors Kingston is a major source of information offering knowledge about activities of interest to seniors and active older citizens. The charity has facilities around Kingston conveniently located in popular retirement areas with a large number of seniors over 55 years of age.
The charity offers a variety of services including fall programs, at home programs, food and dining programs, and seniors events. The wheelchair-accessible facilities support fun, engaging activities which promote socialisation and healthy, active lifestyles among seniors.
Get in touch with Seniors Kingston to volunteer, become a corporate sponsor, or support the organisation by subscribing to Vista, the charity’s magazine.
14. Hospice Kingston
For over 35 years, Hospice Kingston has provided companionship, support, and comfort to patients with life-limiting diseases. The charity organisation also offers these services to the patient’s caregivers and families at no cost.
Hospice Kingston is dedicated to enhancing healthcare and improving access to end-of-life care in the Kingston community. The charity organisation offers a variety of services including in-home care, caregiver support, day wellness, and grief bereavement and support.
This organisation welcomes volunteers who would like to make a difference in the community through direct care roles and non-direct care roles. You can also make a difference through donations, gifts of securities or shares, and monthly giving.
The hospice is currently constructing a 10-bed hospice residence to offer palliative care for residents of Kingston. Reach out to Hospice Kingston to find out how you can make a donation.
