Tuesday, November 30, is Giving Tuesday. It’s a global movement where residents, businesses and community groups are encouraged to give back to show generosity in the communities where they live.

Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Whitby residents,local businesses and not-for-profit organizations continue to experience hardship. You might be surprised to learn that 46 per cent of not-for-profit organizations in Durham Region expect that they cannot sustain their current operations for more than 12 months.

How Can You Help?

This Giving Tuesday, get involved and show you care. Here are just some of the ways you can make a positive difference in our community this holiday season:

• Donate to Feed The Need – make a  donation to the Give "Food and Hope" Holiday Campaign to help Feed the Need in Durham provide fresh, nutritious food and non-perishable goods to emergency food providers across Durham Region.  
• Donate to the Durham Region Police Service’s (DRPS) Holiday Food and Toy Drive - Whitby Fire is once again accepting donations for the DRPS Holiday Food and Toy Drive. Non-perishable foods, new unwrapped toys and gift cards can be dropped off any Whitby Fire Station, DRPS Regional Headquarters (605 Rossland Road East), or at any DRPS Division in Durham Region now though Wednesday, December 22. Check out a full list of participating Whitby Fire Stations.
• Support A Local Business - Many Whitby businesses have also been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. This holiday season, give back by shopping and supporting local. For every $100 spent locally, $70 is reinvested back into the local economy. Watch the Town and Downtown Whitby BIA’s social media channels or visit shopdurhamregion.ca to learn more about Whitby businesses and how you can help support them while checking people off your holiday gift list.
• Fill a box for women in need as part of The Shoebox Project - The Shoebox Project for Women collects donations for women who have been impacted by homelessness. Fill a shoebox with items women who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness might need including warm hats and mittens, toiletries, gift cards or snacks. Once your shoebox is full, it can be dropped off inside the front doors at Whitby Fire Headquarters (111 McKinney Drive) by Sunday, December 12.
• Learn more about local Giving Tuesday efforts – visit the Durham Community Foundation for a number of other ways to support local charities and not-for-profits. Visit their Facebook page, DurhamCF to find out more this Giving Tuesday.

Are You A Community and Non-Profit Organization Looking For Help?

In 2020, the Town provided over $200,000 to 52 community organizations through two community development funds designed to help support local initiatives: the Mayor’s Community Development Fund (MCDF) and the Performing Arts Community Development Fund (PACDF). 

Local community groups and non-profit organizations are welcome to apply for community grants throughout the year. Applications for the Mayor's Golf Tournament lead cause are due March 31, 2022 and applications for the Mayor’s Fundraiser lead cause are due October 31, 2022.

Thanks for supporting Giving Tuesday, Whitby!